{"id":94413,"date":"2015-01-28T18:00:05","date_gmt":"2015-01-28T08:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=94413"},"modified":"2020-08-20T10:00:03","modified_gmt":"2020-08-20T00:00:03","slug":"council-bans-coal-mining-csg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2015\/01\/28\/council-bans-coal-mining-csg\/","title":{"rendered":"Council Bans Coal Mining, CSG"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Southern Downs councillor Jamie Mackenzie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

January 28, 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Queensland council today unanimously passed a motion prohibiting coal-related mining exploration on council land.<\/p>\n

The motion, passed by the Southern Downs Council – which covers the Stanthorpe and Warwick areas – bans coal and CSG exploration on council roadsides, easements and other council lands.<\/p>\n

It also resolves to strengthen protection for priority agricultural land and priority residential areas.<\/p>\n

The motion was moved by Cr Jamie Mackenzie.<\/p>\n

\u201cCouncil does not approve coal mines.\u00a0 That is a State Government responsibility,\u201d Cr Mackenzie said.<\/p>\n

\u201c(But) just like the Scenic Rim Regional Council in 2012, we are taking the message to the State Government on behalf of the region that alarm bells are ringing about the potential impacts of resource sector development on the \u2018right to farm\u2019, slippage, amenity, the road and rail network, fragile underground water supplies and on the environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my view, there needs to be a balance between economic development and preserving the environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all would like to see the mining sector develop in appropriate parts of Queensland and for agriculture to prosper .<\/p>\n

\u201cUnlike Central Queensland, the Southern Downs Region features comparatively dense rural settlement so mining would be on someone\u2019s door step.”<\/p>\n

Clean Air Queensland campaign director Michael Kane attended the Council meeting, held at Stanthorpe, and applauded the decision.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“This is a historic decision by the council to protect residents from the coal and coal seam gas industry,\u201d Mr Kane said.<\/p>\n

He said coal and coal seam gas companies were coming to the Southern Downs with at least nine exploration leases currently active.<\/p>\n

Mr Kane has been a vocal campaigner against the Acland coal mine and rail transport of coal through residential areas.<\/p>\n

He said the Southern Downs Council had “obviously learnt the lesson from the disaster that the Acland coal mine has been for Darling Downs residents”.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis decision only protects the areas that council are primarily responsible for, and more work needs to be done at the State Government level,\u201d Mr Kane said.<\/p>\n

He called on neighbouring shires to follow suit.<\/p>\n