Lock The Gate Alliance has joined with local people from the Bremer Valley in south-east Queensland to launch a new video and website as part of a new Coal Free Bremer Valley campaign, with a community meeting planned for May 29, 2013.

Graham Turner, CEO of Flight Centre and owner of Spicers Hidden Vale Retreat at Grandchester, is featured with other locals in a short film about the impacts that a proposed new open-cut coal mine would have on public health, farming and the existing economy in the densely settled area west of Ipswich.

OGL Resources intends to re-open the Ebenezer mine south of Rosewood, and then extend it out across the 'Bremer View' mining lease - which covers more than 23,000 acres of farmland and affects up to 400 properties.

"If coal mining is allowed to proceed in this beautiful productive area, then existing business enterprises, such as mine, will be lost," said Mr Turner.

"Large numbers of farming families will be displaced, historic properties will be destroyed and the health of people living in the region will decline.

"This area around Ipswich and Rosewood is the green hinterland of Brisbane, the playground for all those looking to escape the busy city for relaxation and leisure.  These people will not keep coming to visit if it gets turned into an industrial zone.

Drew Hutton, President of Lock The Gate Alliance, said: "We're launching this video and website today because we are serious about working with local people to protect the Bremer Valley.

"We have now worked with plenty of communities around Australia who have found the courage to stand up to mining companies, and they've won.  There's no reason why that can't happen here.

"To kick things off, we are joining with local people to hold a community meeting on the 29th May, where we'll show the video, provide information on what the mine will mean for the region and talk about what people can do to protect their farms, their assets and their community.

"We encourage everyone living in the area to come along and join us on the night."

A community meeting to discuss the Ebenezer/Bremer coal mine proposal will be held at the Church of Christ Hall, Hinrichsen Road, Mt Walker on Wednesday 29th May at 6pm.  

For more information, please go to www.coalfreebremervalley.org or contact Cassie McMahon on 0427 166 166 or[email protected]