Greens Back Kingaroy Mine Protest

September 27, 2016

Greens Senator Larissa Waters has joined the campaign against Moreton Resources’ proposed Kingaroy coal mine.

Senator Waters, in a media release on Tuesday, supported the Kingaroy Concerned Citizens Group’s call for the State Government to buy back Moreton’s mining exploration permit.

“The Greens congratulate the Kingaroy Concerned Citizens Group for the action they have taken to protect their community from a coal mine on their doorstep,” Senator Waters said.

“We must not sacrifice our farmland, groundwater or the health of our rural communities for short-sighted, economically risky and environmentally destructive coal mining.

“Having a dirty great coal mine so close to a residential area would mean that the local community could suffer serious health impacts from pollution and coal dust.

“The Queensland Government must heed the call from the residents of Kingaroy and do what is necessary to protect the local community, farmland and environment from this development.

“This is why the Greens have fought for years for landholders to be able to protect their land and groundwater from mining, sadly with no support from the other parties.

“Time and time again, the health of local communities is sacrificed for corporate profits and jobs that don’t last.

“The reported proposal for an arsenic-heavy tailings pond upstream of the town’s water supply should be an absolute red flag.

“The Greens have a strong track record of standing with farmers, landholders and traditional owners against destructive coal and coal seam gas. Unlike the other parties, we don’t take donations from fossil fuel companies.

“Thermal coal is in structural decline as the rest of the world moves to clean, cheap renewable energy.

“The Australian Greens call on the Australian and Queensland Governments to ban all new coal mines and coal mine expansions and instead help rural communities participate in on the job-rich clean energy boom.”

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The proposed Kingaroy coal mine will also be the focus of a tour group visiting the South Burnett from Brisbane over the October long weekend.

The “Bridging The Divide” tour has been organised by Nanango resident Cassie McMahon and aims to highlight to the visitors why Kingaroy needs to be “protected” from Moreton Resources’ mine.

The visitors will be offered the opportunity to talk to farmers and local tourism operators.

They will also visit Kingsley Grove Estate for wine and ice cream tasting, and enjoy a woodfired pizza dinner followed by a visit to the Kingaroy Observatory.

“The event will culminate over a Sunday lunch to discuss ways we can join forces and ‘how can we stop this mine’,” Cassie said.

“Whilst organising this event there has been significant good will shown by the Kingaroy community. Many of the businesses have provided discounts for this event and costs have been kept at a minimum.”

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