Lock the Gate Alliance and Wide Bay-Burnett farmers are urging Bundaberg councillors to vote in favour of a motion to oppose coal mining in parts of the region at tomorrow’s meeting.
Farmers north of Bundaberg are currently battling to prevent the destruction of highly productive agricultural land after coal mining company Fox Resources applied for a mineral development licence in October last year.
Lock the Gate Alliance Wide Bay-Burnett spokesperson Vicki Perrin welcomed the decision by Division 1 councillor Jason Bartels to put forward the motion.
The Alliance is particularly pleased with the motion because it specifically aims to protect “parts of the Bundaberg Region that have high-value agriculture or tourism and environmental sensitivity” from coal mining, as well as the region targeted by Fox.
“While the decision whether to grant the MDL for Fox’s coal mine ultimately rests with the Queensland Palaszczuk Government, it is encouraging to see politicians at a local level fiercely fight against this unwelcome coal proposal,” Ms Perrin said.
“Mines Minister Anthony Lynham would do well to pay attention and reject Fox’s application.
“The Bundaberg region is simply too important from an agricultural, tourism, and environmental perspective to sacrifice to coal mining.”
Tegege landholder Diane Bush said the granting of the MDLA would have negative impacts on farmers, even if a coal mine was never actually built.
“If the licence application were approved it would allow Fox Resources to use seismic survey and drill important agricultural land in search of coking and metallurgical coal over a period of five to 10 years,” she said.
“This is obviously not acceptable in what is one of the best producing food bowls in the country.
“I encourage all councillors to vote in favour of this sensible motion.”