A radio advertising campaign has just begun warning of Palaszczuk government plans to hand coal mining companies the right to take unlimited associated groundwater, without obtaining a water license.
Frank Ashman, a beef farmer near the Acland coal mine on the Darling Downs, is concerned he would lose his groundwater and lose his legal rights to object to miners taking his water.
“Right across Queensland, farmers are suffering water shortages during this drought – now it’s going to get much tougher,” Mr Ashman said.
“This plan by the Palaszczuk Government to give coal miners unlimited rights to associated groundwater is blatantly unfair and damaging to farmers and food-producers in Qld.
“Communities living next door to mines, like ours, and the livelihood of farmers will be hung out to dry – literally,” he said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk is pushing ahead with Newman era law changes which she promised to reject. The Premier should act in the interests of farmers and landholder, not those of the mining industry.
“The Qld Government must urgently put in place stronger controls to protect our precious groundwater resources from mining, not weakening them and putting farm supplies at even greater risk as a result,” he said.
Audio of 30 sec radio advert available for media use available.
“Communities living next door to mines, like ours, and the livelihood of farmers will be hung out to dry – literally,” he said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk is pushing ahead with Newman era law changes which she promised to reject. The Premier should act in the interests of farmers and landholder, not those of the mining industry.
“The Qld Government must urgently put in place stronger controls to protect our precious groundwater resources from mining, not weakening them and putting farm supplies at even greater risk as a result,” he said.
Audio of 30 sec radio advert available for media use available.
Frank Ashman is available for interview.
Media contact: Jane Garcia 0434 489 533