Despite the changes to the upcoming local and state elections, one message remains clear: Southern Downs residents do not want mining in the area without appropriate conditions.
As the Southern Downs Protection Group starts gaining real momentum, with signs advertising protection of our food and water from mining and gas extraction now out in the community, mining has become one of the main election issues.
State Member for Southern Downs Lawrence Springborg, who will once again run for re-election, said the conflict between mining and agriculture and the impacts of coal seam gas were of major concern to his constituents.
Mr Springborg said the Liberal-National Party (LNP), of which he is a member, would ensure that prime agricultural land was protected from mining if elected on March 24.
He said only mining in appropriate areas should be allowed.
Katter’s Australian Party candidate for Southern Downs Ade Larsen said the effects of coal seam gas and mining on the environment and our food and water supplies were very concerning to local residents.
“In the Southern Downs, most people are against mining. Farming and our lifestyle cannot co-exist with mining,” Mr Larsen said.
“I want to make sure mining doesn’t come to the Southern Downs,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Southern Downs Regional Council will continue to fight against mining in the area without appropriate conditions despite a setback imposed by Mining Minister Stirling Hinchliffe.
The council had written a letter to Mr Hinchliffe, asking for Applethorpe, Amiens, Cottonvale, Dalveen, The Summit, Thulimbah, Ballandean, Glen Aplin, Wallangarra, Emu Vale, Maryvale, Mt Colliery, Tannymorel, Yangan, Karara, Leyburn, Pratten and Killarney to be restricted areas from mining exploration.
“Following detailed consideration and analysis of the communities/localities that your council had asked to be opted into Restricted Area 384, I have decided not to include any of these communities/localities in the initial urban restricted area declaration,” Mr Hinchliffe replied in a letter to Southern Downs Regional Mayor Ron Bellingham.
“I think we will continue to lobby for a reasonable result. That answer was not what we were hoping for and it wasn’t reasonable for a region like ours with so many smaller communities,” Cr Bellingham said.
He was angered by the State Government’s ruling that Urban Restricted Areas will be declared for communities/localities with a population of 1000 people or more.
“We have so many small communities in our region, which are equally deserving of protection. Size should not matter, it’s about respect,” Cr Bellingham said.
“It appears that miners have more than equal rights with landholders. The State Government needs to put in appropriate measures to ensure people’s property rights are protected.”
He said after speaking to affected councils, he believed that mining did not bring any prosperity to these regions.
“I don’t think any mine brings in any benefits to the region, it’s quite frankly the reverse.”
Cr Bellingham said there were a number of people who could no longer afford to live in regions affected by mining as a result of the large increases in rent.
The local government election will now be held on April 28.
Story: Rebecca Brown
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