'Edited' report on coal mine decision AN independent report on the granting of a controversial coal licence, which said Ian Macdonald acted "within his powers," was edited by the disgraced minister's department, a corruption inquiry heard yesterday. While Dr Richard Sheldrake, the director-general of the Department of Primary Industries, said that he did not intend suggested changes to a draft report on the former minister's decision to be "misleading," he agreed it could appear that way. Mr Macdonald is being investigated by the corruption watchdog for his granting of the exploration licence for a proposed training mine to a small group of investors, including his friend and former union boss John Maitland, in late 2008 with no competitive tender process. The review of the decision, conducted by company O'Connor Marsden, determined Mr Macdonald "had acted within the powers afforded to him." But notes tendered to ICAC yesterday show the company sought feedback from the primary industries department before submitting the report to the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Meanwhile Kay Sharp, the executive director of the Hunter Valley Training Company, told the inquiry yesterday she got "quite excited" when she met Mr Maitland to hear his idea for a training mine at the site. "I thought what a good idea it would be to have hospitality and landscaping and all sorts of things on this wonderful site," she said. Ms Sharp wrote a letter of support for a training facility to Mr Macdonald before the licence was granted. Do you remember Mr Maitland telling you ... that the minster was supportive of his project? "I can't remember (when) but I do recall having been told on occasion that the minister was supportive," she said.