FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,803	$ 2,402	$ 1,341	$ 923
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	2,803	2,402	1,341
Short-term debt	133,816	77,225	175,822
Long-term debt, including current portion	339,426	364,416	364,372
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	2,803	2,402	1,341
Short-term debt	133,816	77,225	175,822
Long-term debt, including current portion	431,091	452,768	449,968
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	2,779	2,378
Short-term debt	0	0
Long-term debt, including current portion	0	0
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	24	24
Short-term debt	133,816	77,225
Long-term debt, including current portion	431,091	452,768
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Short-term debt	0	0
Long-term debt, including current portion	$ 0	$ 0