It was supposed to be a quiet holiday Monday on a sleepy back street of Beaudesert. Helen Street became the focus of community concern over the possible mining activity in the Scenic Rim.
The Queensland Party and the Greens joined joined with a group of concerned citizens to head off any attempts to approve mining in the Scenic Rim.
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When the Queensland Party on the Greens agree on something," said Aidan McLindon, "The chances are there is something very very wrong happening. |
The protest was organised by the "Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic" organisation and the Greens Party.
Guest speakers included the local State member Aidan McLindon MP and Greens candidate Andy Grodecki.
"When the farmers and the Greens agree on something," said Aidan McLindon, "The chances are there is something very very wrong happening."
A crowd of more than 100 people of all ages congregated on the intersection of Helen Street and Beetham Streets on the western edge of the Beaudesert township.
The site overlooks the greenfields that will become part of the Bromelton Industrial Estate.
Many in the crowd were carrying placards protesting the possible mining and extraction of coal and coal seam gas in the Scenic Rim.
The Scenic Rim Regional Council has an official position that opposes mining in the Scenic Rim. This position is endorsed by all Councillors including both the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor.
However, many of the protestors at the gathering expressed concern over the mooted acquisition of the Kooralbyn Resort negotiated by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
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| Local Greens candidate, Andy Grodecki addressed the protest rally |
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The potential new owners are said to be closely associated with individuals who have a long history of dealing with the international coal industry.
When asked to give an example of evidence that the Council actually had plans to support mining in the Scenic Rim, Greens candidate Andy Grodecki could offer no concrete proof saying right now coal and coal seam gas mining in the Scenic Rim was a "supposition".
"We know that there is coal seam gas exploration," said Mr Grodeck. "We know there is coal exploration throughout the Scenic Rim. We know there are plan to build a gas pipeline through Bromelton Industrial Estate."
Andy Grodecki pointed out that many of the people at the protest had come at short notice from all around the shire and the Gold Coast to make it clear to Council that they needed to remember their commitments.
"One positive thing people can do is the "Lock the Gate" campaign. This prevents drill operators from entering your land with drilling rigs."
"Another thing is that people should examine their political positions. The only way we can stop this is if the Greens and the Queensland Party have the balance of power in the State Parliament."
The alliance between the Greens and Queensland party looks an unlikely one but Grodecki says, "This issue brings us together and it also brings the farmers and the environmentalists together."
"This is a 66 billion dollar industry," said Aidan McLindon. "There are already 44,000 wells and more to come. The miners will be here for 20 years. Then they pack up and go. We - the locals - will have to deal with the mess they make for hundreds of years. It threatens our food security and our clean water. This is short term gain for the miners and long term pain for our community"
"Did you know that 21 of the 23 recognised dangerous chemicals produced in the coal seam gas "fracking" process are not even being tested for by our regulatory authorities," said an impassioned McLindon. "In France and Africa these processes have been made illegal. So while they are shutting down the industry, in Australia it's a free for all."
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Innes Larkin from the Keep The Scenic Rim Scenic group |
Keep The Scenic Rim Scenic spokesperson Innes Larkin said the whole situation in the Scenic Rim was fluid.
"Bromelton is now controlled by the State Government," said Innes. "As a declared SDA - State Development Area - Bromelton is under effective State Government control."
Asked for his comment on the as yet unreleased SDA documents, local Councillor Derek Swanborough said, "Some see Bromelton as outside of the control of the Scenic Rim Council."
"While we have no idea what they are planning for the Scenic Rim till the SDA is released for public comment, the Council can still have significant input into all decisions made about Bromelton."
"However, we have seen what happens when issues that are important to the local communities are referred to the State Government or the courts. Decisions like Hyacinth and the recent approval of a supermarket are cases in point."
"The Gavan supermarket proposal was clearly outside the current planning guidelines, had strident community opposition and was even opposed by Council - yet the courts have allowed it to proceed."
Aidan McLindon said, "Everyone needs to understand the adverse effect of the coal seam gas industry. This is the scenic Rim. We don't want it to become the scenic bin."
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| The Beaudesert Times reporter organised a photo opportunity that turned into a fully fledged protest rally getting that important shot |
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President of the Lock The Gate Alliance, Drew Hutton, said in his address to the crowd, "We have to make a compact all Australians."
"If you love this country, be prepared to fight for it."
"Be prepared to fight for it over the next twenty years. And remember to Lock the Gate."
As for the Beaudesert Times reporter who organised the photo shoot that turned into full protest rally, he was expressed some surprise at the size of the rally and the number of cars that crowded the quiet semi-rural street.
He was last seen standing in bare feet on the roof his car attempting to get that elusive shot of the politians standing in front of wonderful scenery that is slated to become Bromelton and perhaps a key part of Queensland's coal seam gas industry.