Fox Resources responds to government’s preliminary rejection of Bundaberg coal mine
Fox Resources’ Executive Director, Bruce Garlick, says the company will submit further responses after the Queensland Government’s initial decision not to approve the mining lease.
Bundaberg
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Resources Minister Scott Stewart will not have to make a call on a controversial coal mine proposal near Bundaberg, with Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Grace Grace stepping in due to potential conflict of interest.
Mr Stewart rejected Fox Resources’ application in October 2022, but the company successfully appealed that decision in the Supreme Court, reactivating the proposal.
Mr Stewart was expected to deliver his final decision on the Fox application two months ago.
But an announcement made on Tuesday by Minister Grace said she had assumed responsibility for the application to address a potential conflict of interest of Mr Stewart’s.
Minister Grace’s preliminary view is that the application is not in the public interest.
A state government spokesperson said on Thursday, September 19 that there had been “significant community interest in the Fox Resources Mineral Development Licence application” and that it was “being thoroughly considered by government”.
The Fox Resources mining development lease application proposes to develop an underground coking coal mine on a 7800ha lease area which extends from SSS Strawberries through to Moore Park Beach.
In a press release issued by anti-coal mine campaigner and famer Judy Plath this week, resident Cristel Simmonds, one of the people living within the mining exploration lease area, said she feared the mine and, if approved, it would destroy her quality of life.
“Our community deserves peace of mind about our future – we deserve the decision we were promised by the Minister and we deserve to learn about our fates,” Ms Simmonds said.
“Our group is calling on the Member for Bundaberg, Tom Smith, to remind Resources Minister Scott Stewart that high value farming land right on the doorstep of the southern Great Barrier Reef is not a suitable place for a coal mine,” she said.
“We are urging the Minister to reject Fox Resource’s mining application to protect the future of Bundaberg before the government goes into caretaker mode.”
North Burnett sweet potato grower Troy Prichard said he was deeply concerned for the future of the area.
“North Bundaberg is a food bowl for the whole country,” Mr Prichard said in the press release.
“We grow everything here – from sugarcane to sweet potatoes, to macadamias and strawberries and an amazing array of other high value crops.
“The fact the state government is even considering placing a coal mine in the heart of some of Australia’s best farming land is hard to fathom.
“An underground coal mine in this area is a direct threat to our valuable underground water supplies and a major threat to the thousands of local jobs that rely on irrigated agriculture in this region.”
Fox Resources’ Executive Director, Bruce Garlick said that Fox Resources would review the announcement made by Minister Grace.
Mr Garlick said Fox Resources had been given until November 15 to provide further submissions.
“Under Fox Resources’ MDL 3040 application, the company is seeking to drill five bore holes for exploration purposes, together with conducting some technical studies.
“These activities have minimal impact and will be conducted in accordance with the highest environmental and regulatory standards,” Mr Garlick said.
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