Steve Whan, who is also juggling the portfolios of emergency services and primary industries, has now assumed the position of minerals industry minister.

The hardworking Whan will presumably carry out his mining ministerial duties in between fighting bushfires and trying to keep locusts away from NSW wheat crops.

Whan tweeted to his 189 twitter followers on Friday: “Looking forward to looking after mineral and forest resources, both vital primary industries for NSW”

No mention was made of how Minister Whan proposes to weigh up the competing interests of rural landholders and miners, especially in the Liverpool Plains and upper Hunter, where independents and greens are focusing on opposing coal developments.

NSW Minerals Council chief executive Nikki Williams said she hopes this is the last ministerial change before next March’s state election, saying the “revolving door at Macquarie Street” sends all the wrong signals about investment and doing business in NSW.

“The $23 billion minerals industry in this State is looking to the government for stability and leadership, not a game of political musical chairs,” she said.

“The incessant chopping and changing of ministers makes it very difficult for the industry and the community to have their voices heard in Government.

“This most recent change comes at a critical time for mining in NSW, as the new cabinet sub-committee develops its Strategic Plan for coal. It is crucial that the government gets this right.

“They must ensure the right balance between developing the state’s resources and the benefits that delivers for the people of NSW as well as minimising the impacts of any developments.”

Keneally, who incidentally is the third NSW premier in six years, also appointed NSW treasurer and minister for state and regional development Eric Roozendaal to the position of minister for ports and waterways and minister for the Illawarra.

This is despite the fact that the treasurer lives in Sydney’s leafy eastern suburbs.