Bundaberg and Burnett MPs oppose mining company’s MDL application for Bundy
“We cannot risk our environment and our economy in this region for a mining development lease that... does not pass the pub test when it comes to our community.”
Bundaberg
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The fight against a proposed mining development license north of Bundaberg has ramped up, with Burnett MP Stephen Bennett calling on the government not to “shaft the Burnett”.
Bundaberg MP Tom Smith has also formally opposed MDL3040, handing a letter to Resources Minister Scott Stewart while in Brisbane for parliament this week asking him not to grant it.
Mr Bennett also wrote to the Minister, urging him to head the warnings and concerns of the community.
If approved, MDL 3040 would allow Western Australia company and applicant Fox Resources to carry out works and exploration activities in the region, that may include seismic surveys and drilling.
The MDL application boarders Restricted areas (RA) 384: Bundaberg Urban Area and RA 215: Kogan Barrage Catchment Area, with the holder also stating there are residences within the proposed boundary.
The permit also sits within Strategic Cropping Land trigger area, Forest Management Area, Fish Habitat Area B (Kolan River) and Endangered Regional Ecosystems.
Early last year, Mr Bennett tabled a petition of 5300 signatures from locals opposing the MDL.
On Friday, both MPs said they had not had consultation from the resource company in regards to the MDL.
“Fox resources have done very limited community consultation, and they have not consulted with me at all,” he said.
“This is a company that wants to change and impact our environment and they have not spoken to the local member for Bundaberg which, I think, is a real flag and concern.
“I have concerns about their financial viability going forward to not only deliver and MDL, but a potential coal mine down the track, I do not think Fox Resources have Bundaberg’s best interests at heart.”
Mr Bennett said the MDL would threaten Bundy’s agricultural land.
“This proposed exploration and potential coal mine threatens one of Australia’s largest food producing areas, underground aquifers and the pristine environment,” he said.
“I want to stress, it’s not a mining license, it’s not allowing extractive activities, except we do know that as part of this process there is extractive holes, there’s a fair bit of drilling to be done to protect quality, viability and of course the markets and other things Fox Resources need to do about whether it’s a feasibility and a profitable mine for them to progress.
“We cannot under any circumstance believe that an extractive industry north of Bundaberg, which starts on the SSS boundary and goes all the way through to Yandaran and Avondale, can be anything but a disaster.”
Mr Smith said the MDL was not needed in the Bundaberg region.
“This is an issue the whole community has consensus on, this is prime agricultural land, we are at the base of the Great Barrier Reef,” he said.
“We cannot risk our environment and our economy in this region for a mining development lease that does not stack up and does not pass the pub test when it comes to our community.
“We are the food bowl of Queensland, we have the greatest growers not only in Queensland but all across Australia and the world and we do not want to see that jeopardised by a mining development lease that is not wanted by our community.”
Resources Minister Scott Stewart said there was a strong assessment process for resources projects in Queensland.
“I have spoken to Tom Smith and the member for Burnett about the process surrounding the granting of any mineral development licence,” he said.
“All mineral development licences must address specific environmental and native title requirements before they are granted.
”It is important to highlight this type of licence does not authorise mining at the site.”
A decision on the MDL application is expected in the coming weeks, with both MPs hoping for the right outcome for the Bundaberg region.
The NewsMail has reached out to Fox Resources for comment.
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