The fight is on to stop huge coal mining projects going ahead in a residential corridor in the Bremer Valley.
The State Government has approved two leases totalling around 9500 hectares for open cut coal mining that will gouge through the Bremer Valley, near Ipswich.
The leases involve the Ebenezer and Bremer View coal projects stretching from Ebenezer to Mount Walker and beyond.
Concerned residents and action groups will meet on Monday night at Rosewood to discuss how they can stop the mining going ahead.
Ipswich City Councillor, David Pahlke said mining between Toowoomba and the coast should be winding down, not winding up.
“Urban development and mining is a mix for disaster,” Cr Pahlke said.
The Premier, Campbell Newman, state and federal MPs and regional mayors have been invited to Monday night’s information forum and free screening of the documentary, Fractured Country: An Unconventional Invasion. Those indicating their intention to attend so far include Cr Pahlke and Ipswich West LNP sitting Member Sean Choat.
Paul Kennedy, president of the Rosewood District Protection Organisation (RDPO) – one of the community groups organising the event – said residents were opposed to the destruction of their homes, farms and the environment.
“This area contains unique flora and fauna habitats including disease free koala colonies and the critically endangered Swamp Tea Tree and it needs protecting,” he said.
The proposed Bremer View mine near the Scenic Rim cuts across the path of the Bremer River and several tributary waterways that feed into Moreton Bay in Brisbane.
Drew Hutton, national president of the Lock the Gate Alliance, will speak at the event.
“Combining major open cut coal mining with a residential corridor is just madness,” he said.
WHO: Paul Kennedy RDPO, Drew Hutton of Lock the Gate Alliance, Coal Free Bremer
WHAT: How can communities protect what they love? Information & film night
WHEN: 7pm, Monday May 12
WHERE: RSL Memorial Hall, Mill Street, Rosewood