A Goomburra resident is urging locals to fight a coal exploration application in the Warwick area before it’s too late.
Lock the Gate Alliance Inc secretary Sarah Moles was very concerned about the local application that was being reviewed by Mining Minister Stirling Hinchliffe, as reported previously in the Southern Free Times.
“About 90 per cent of Queensland is coming under a mining lease,” Ms Moles claimed.
“We’re particularly concerned about this stampede to produce more fossil fuels, sitting under quality agricultural land. It is a huge concern,” she said.
“It can even contaminate our water supply.”
With a number of other issues relating to mining, Ms Moles said there could be a local rally against the application.
“If the exploration lease becomes active, there could be a rally in Warwick then,” she said.
Ms Moles said supporters of mining applications often hide behind the economic benefits that such applications could bring to a community.
“There’s a lot of research out there that says local communities don’t usually get the benefits.
“A lot of existing businesses find it difficult to retain staff and then replace them when they’ve gone to higher paid jobs in the mining industry.
“I think people are reluctant to stand up against something that could be seen of economic benefit to the town.”
She said the Lock the Gate Alliance believed “enough is enough” and that Australia “should be investing heavily in greener renewable energy sources that will create more jobs in the future”.
The Southern Free Times is interested in your thoughts on this issue; send your letters to editor@freetimes.com.au
Story: Rebecca Brown
