The State Government's changes to mining exploration licences are a step in the right direction, according to community group Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic, although its spokesman says most residents of the Scenic Rim will still be exposed to the threat of mining on their land.
Under changes announced today by Premier Anna Bligh, no mining exploration activities will now be allowed in Queensland towns with a population of more than 1000 or within a two-kilometre buffer zone of those areas.
A high-pressure gas pipeline through the Scenic Rim?
A main line could open up the Scenic Rim to a massive expansion in coal seam gas production.
Development of a high-pressure gas pipeline through the Scenic Rim has progressed to planning application stage, with resource company Metgasco submitting details of the project to the New South Wales government for approval.
The 145 kilometre line could connect gaslands in northern New South Wales with the planned Bromelton Industrial Estate and Swanbank power station near Ipswich.
Some experts believe gas companies, active in the Scenic Rim, could also use the pipeline to export gas from our area.
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| This is how coal-seam gas systems have changed the landscape in the Tara area |
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In similar situations elsewhere, this has involved a network extensive feeder pipelines, noisy 24-hour compressor stations and trucks to transport gas from areas not serviced by pipelines.
Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic spokesman Innes Larkin said the move was good news for the towns of Beaudesert, Boonah and possibly Kalbar and Kooralbyn, but the uncertainty of mining would still hang over the lives of those in smaller towns and rural residential communities including Veresdale and Glen Eagle.
"We also have concerns about the two-kilometre township buffer zone - it really needs to be at least five kilometres to ensure residents are adequately protected from dust and noise impacts"
The premier also announced that no new mining exploration permits will be allowed in the area covered by the South East Queensland Regional Plan. Mr Larkin said this would have little impact on the Scenic Rim, with existing permits already blanketing 80% of the region.
"We're disappointed the changes to not go further to protect all of our communities from the uncertainty caused exploration permits. People in our area are only just beginning to understand the full implications of the coal and coal seam gas industries, including the fact that they do not have the right to say no to mining on their land. Their anxiety is palpable, as is their anger and determination not to allow the industrialisation of this region".
"These changes are like a double blow to our area. Yet again, we feel like we've been failed by the State government, as most of our land owners are still left vulnerable. The same thing happened when the Strategic Cropping Land policy was announced and we realised it did not apply to most of our high quality farmland because it generally involves a slope of more than five degrees."
" We will continue our campaign to raise awareness in the area and its good to see movement in the political arena to protect communities".
Several hundred concerned Scenic Rim residents attended a coal and coal seam gas information session in Beaudesert last weekend (August 13). The event was organised by Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic, to help locals find out more about permits covering their land and mining company plans for the region.
The non-political group's next information session will be held in Boonah on August 27, as part of a campaign to raise awareness about coal and coal seam gas exploration and future plans for the Scenic Rim region.
For further information please contact Innes Larkin 5544 3233 or Heidi Ross 5544 8070 or 0408 158 807