INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Components of (loss) earnings before income taxes, after adjusting (loss) earnings for non-controlling interests
United States	$ (8,936,000)	$ (4,148,000)
Canada	(2,297,000)	5,540,000
Total	(11,233,000)	1,392,000
Current provision :
United States - State		18,000
Total United States		18,000
Canadian	200,000	808,000
Total current	200,000	826,000
Deferred (benefit) provision:
United States	(380,000)	84,000
Canadian	(917,000)	591,000
Total deferred	(1,297,000)	675,000
Total	(1,097,000)	1,501,000
Effective consolidated income tax rate (as a percent)	10.00%	108.00%
Reconciliation between the reported income tax (benefit) provision and the amount computed by multiplying the earnings by the U.S. federal tax rate
U.S. federal tax rate (as a percent)	35.00%
Tax (benefit) expense computed by applying statutory rate	(3,932,000)	487,000
Increase in the valuation allowance	3,968,000	928,000
Additional effect of the foreign tax provision on the total tax provision	(606,000)	390,000
State income tax (benefit) expense	(389,000)	18,000
Uncertain tax positions lapses of statute	(93,000)	(257,000)
Other	(45,000)	(65,000)
Total	(1,097,000)	1,501,000
Deferred income tax assets:
U.S. tax effect of deferred Canadian taxes	1,082,000	1,323,000
Foreign tax credit carryover	1,955,000	1,656,000
Alternative minimum tax credit carryover	460,000	460,000
U.S. federal net operating loss carryover	2,613,000	79,000
Tax basis of investment in land and residential real estate in excess of book basis	1,661,000	1,383,000
Property and equipment accumulated tax depreciation and depletion in excess of book under U.S. tax law	4,480,000	4,655,000
Liabilities accrued for books but not for tax under U.S. tax law	4,192,000	4,242,000
Liabilities accrued for books but not for tax under Canadian tax law	1,732,000	1,616,000
Other	1,869,000	1,177,000
Total gross deferred tax assets	20,044,000	16,591,000
Less valuation allowance	(18,233,000)	(14,975,000)
Net deferred income tax assets	1,811,000	1,616,000
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Property and equipment accumulated tax depreciation and depletion in excess of book under Canadian tax law	(4,913,000)	(5,508,000)
Other	(92,000)	(392,000)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(5,005,000)	(5,900,000)
Net deferred income tax liability	(3,194,000)	(4,284,000)
Net deferred income tax liability included in Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Current deferred income tax asset (included in other current assets)	113,000	197,000
Deferred income tax liability	(3,307,000)	(4,481,000)
Net deferred income tax liability	(3,194,000)	(4,284,000)
Valuation allowance, other disclosures
Increase in valuation allowance	3,258,000
Increase in the valuation allowance recognized as income tax expense	3,968,000	928,000
Decrease in valuation allowance credited to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	710,000
Alternative minimum tax credit
Tax credit carryforward and operating loss carryforwards
Tax credit carryovers	460,000
Foreign
Tax credit carryforward and operating loss carryforwards
Tax credit carryovers	1,955,000
Federal
Tax credit carryforward and operating loss carryforwards
Operating loss carryovers	$ 7,687,000