The cold weather in Stanthorpe on Saturday afternoon wasn’t the only thing that caused local residents to shiver.
The public meeting and information session on the potential impacts of mining not only in Stanthorpe but the whole of the Southern Downs was met with disgust by about 20 residents.
Although guest speakers came from different groups and towns, their message was united: residents need to educate themselves on the potential impacts of mining and to have their say before it’s too late.
The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation – the Queensland Government agency responsible for granting exploration and mining tenements under the Mineral Resources Act 1989 – is seeking your comments about how we can best strike the balance between exploration for coal and minerals on the one hand and urban living on the other.
The Exploration and Urban Living: Striking the Balance survey is available at mines.industry.qld.gov.au/mining/exploration-urban-living-balance.htm with submissions closing tomorrow.
Representatives from the Southern Downs Protection Group, Oakey Coal Action Alliance, Toowoomba Coal Mine Action Group and the Lock the Gate Alliance Inc spoke about the potential loss of prime agricultural land, noise and air pollution, the increase in the number of trucks and trains travelling in our area, and the impact mining could have on our water resources, health, lifestyle and economy.
“Clean food, clean water and clean air are our basic human rights. We’re not second-class citizens. Don’t allow mining to gain a foothold in your community,” Oakey Coal Action Alliance chairman Pete Faulkner said.
Southern Downs Regional Councillors Cameron Gow, Mally McMurtrie and Denise Ingram were in attendance at the meeting.
Story: Rebecca Brown
