Lock the Gate Alliance and Farmers for Climate Action are marking World Water Day by launching a regional “Our Water, Our Lifeblood” speaking tour with farmers and water experts, highlighting the impacts of the Adani coal mine on Central Queensland’s water resources.
A number of community groups will also deliver World Water Day cards and water lilies to the Premier and Ministers for Environment and Natural Resources and Mines, and to parliamentarians in Mackay and Townsville.
The cards will have a message requesting protection of Queensland’s precious water and cancellation of Adani’s water licenses for surface water and groundwater.
The Our Water, Our Lifeblood Regional Roadshow features public forums in Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville on the 11th, 12th and 13th of April respectively. Supporters of the campaign will be invited to sign a new pledge calling for cancellation of all Adani’s water licences.
A referenced background paper about the risks Adani’s mine presents to water security is available for download here.
Central Queensland grazier Angus Emmott said “Water is the lifeblood of Central Queensland. Farmers work hard to put food on the table for people across Australia and the world, but we need clean, reliable water.
“It’s dry country out here and we can’t afford to throw our water supplies away on risky coal mining projects that we don’t need and don’t want.
“The Adani mine is just one of nine coal mines proposed in the Galilee Basin which together may extract over 2,007 billion litres of groundwater – almost double the amount of water in Wivenhoe Dam.
“The Queensland government is responsible for water security. If the government took this job seriously it would cancel Adani’s water licenses,” he said.
Angus recently delivered 110,000 petition signatures to the Queensland Government calling for the Adani groundwater licence to be rescinded.
Tom Crothers, former General Manager of Water Planning and Allocation with the Queensland Government, said “If built, it is estimated that Adani’s Carmichael coal mine would drain at least 270 billion litres of groundwater over the 60 year life of the project.
“The mine puts at risk ancient springs and aquifers that form part of the Great Artesian Basin which are vital in times of drought.
“The Adani mine will leave behind devastating hazards for Queenslanders – six unfilled coal pits that will drain millions of litres of groundwater every year, forever.
“Our politicians need to think very carefully about the legacy they want to leave Queensland.
“They should not let mining companies do what they like with our most precious resource at the expense of clean and green agricultural production which will still be operating long after the miners have left,” he said.
Rockhampton Forum: Gracemere Cattle Sale yards, Wednesday 11th April, 6.30pm
Mackay Forum: Iona West Uniting Church Hall, Thursday 12th April, 6pm
Townsville Forum: Seagulls Resort, Friday 13th April, 5.30 Drinks, 6.00 forum