INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Components of loss before income taxes, after adjusting the loss for non-controlling interests
United States	$ (4,832,000)	$ (8,936,000)
Canada	(5,228,000)	(2,297,000)
Total	(10,060,000)	(11,233,000)
Current (benefit) provision :
United States - State	(82,000)
Total United States	(82,000)
Canadian	45,000	200,000
Total current	(37,000)	200,000
Deferred benefit:
United States	82,000	(380,000)
Canadian	(1,542,000)	(917,000)
Total deferred	(1,460,000)	(1,297,000)
Total	(1,497,000)	(1,097,000)
Effective consolidated income tax rate (as a percent)	15.00%	10.00%
Income tax benefit from lapsing of the statute of limitations and the related accrued interest	0	(93,000)
Reconciliation between the reported income tax benefit and the amount computed by multiplying the loss attributable to the entity by the U.S. federal tax rate
U.S. federal tax rate (as a percent)	35.00%
Tax benefit computed by applying statutory rate	(3,521,000)	(3,932,000)
Increase in the valuation allowance	2,978,000	3,968,000
Additional effect of the foreign tax provision on the total tax provision	(1,018,000)	(606,000)
Expiration of foreign tax credit carryforward	249,000
State income tax benefit	(365,000)	(389,000)
Other	180,000	(138,000)
Total	(1,497,000)	(1,097,000)
Deferred income tax assets:
U.S. tax effect of deferred Canadian taxes	526,000	1,082,000
Foreign tax credit carryover	1,715,000	1,955,000
Alternative minimum tax credit carryover	460,000	460,000
U.S. federal net operating loss carryover	4,903,000	2,613,000
Tax basis of investment in land and residential real estate in excess of book basis	1,756,000	1,661,000
Property and equipment accumulated tax depreciation and depletion in excess of book under U.S. tax law	5,196,000	4,480,000
Liabilities accrued for books but not for tax under U.S. tax law	4,338,000	4,192,000
Liabilities accrued for books but not for tax under Canadian tax law	2,409,000	1,732,000
Other	2,085,000	1,869,000
Total gross deferred tax assets	23,388,000	20,044,000
Less valuation allowance	(20,979,000)	(18,233,000)
Net deferred income tax assets	2,409,000	1,811,000
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Property and equipment accumulated tax depreciation and depletion in excess of book under Canadian tax law	(3,957,000)	(4,913,000)
Other	(95,000)	(92,000)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(4,052,000)	(5,005,000)
Net deferred income tax liability	(1,643,000)	(3,194,000)
Net deferred income tax liability included in Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Current deferred income tax asset (included in other current assets)	247,000	113,000
Deferred income tax liability	(1,890,000)	(3,307,000)
Net deferred income tax liability	(1,643,000)	(3,194,000)
Valuation allowance, other disclosures
Increase in valuation allowance	2,746,000
Increase in the valuation allowance recognized as income tax expense	2,978,000	3,968,000
Decrease in valuation allowance credited to accumulated other comprehensive income	232,000
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	1,715,000
Federal
Operating loss carryforwards
Operating loss carryovers	$ 14,420,000