Tania Phillips
A MEETING of up to 150 people at Allora Community Hall on Sunday resolved to oppose a proposed coal mine for the Goomburra Valley.
Southern Downs Regional Councillor Jamie McKenzie, one of the speakers at the meeting, said the meeting attracted a wide cross-section of the community from farmers, to tree changers and long-time residents.
He said Shut the Gate campaigners from Bundaberg, Victoria, the Sunshine Coast and Gatton also attended to discuss the proposed coal seam mine and speakers included those already living near mines.
Cr McKenzie, a town planner by profession, said many of the local farmers were worried about the noise and other disruptions caused by mining.
He said while the views he expressed at the meeting weren’t necessarily those of the Southern Downs Regional Council, he had been invited to the meeting following the council’s recent resolution on opposing mining in the nearby Goomburra Valley.
“It is interesting that coal seam gas was by far the most popular question asked of me during the 2012 election campaign,” he told the meeting.
“Thankfully, most oppose it on the Southern Downs, but it was not until January this year that council adopted a lengthy motion to universally oppose coal seam gas, oil and coal mining in its prime tourist, rural lifestyle and productive agricultural areas.
“The draft resolution was circulated to councillors before the meeting but there was no discussion and little debate. I hope that means we got it right.
“It is a lengthy resolution because we, as a council, need to acknowledge the value of the mining sector to the Queensland economy and not to upset some of the existing dolomite, gem and tin mines that have existed as compatible neighbours for decades here.“
He said while some might like to see coal mining completely banned across the Earth after many years in Central Queensland he said he believed that wasn’t realistic.
“In my view, there needs to be a balance between economic development and preserving the environment, and mining needs to go only to appropriate locations,” Cr McKenzie said.
