Bundaberg community voices opposition to Fox Resources coal mine

The Bundaberg community is gearing up for a fight against a controversial coal mine proposed for 7800ha of prime agricultural land following a shock court decision.

After the courts ruled the Qld government had not sufficiently demonstrated a coal mine was not in the public interest, the Bundaberg agricultural community has come out in force against the proposal.

Residents, politicians and a national activist group have come out swinging following a court ruling that has put Fox Resources’ underground coal mining operations back on the table.

On Friday, September 29 Fox Resources issued a statement announcing the company will resume drilling in MDL 3040, a mining development lease covering 7818ha northwest of Bundaberg.

The announcement followed a Supreme Court ruling overturning Resources Minister Scott Stewart’s April 2022 decision to reject the Perth-based company’s mining development application on the grounds that it was not in the public interest, and it did not address community concerns.

The area covered by the lease is a 7,818ha swath of north Bundaberg including land owned by one of Australia’s largest strawberry farms, SSS Strawberries, and other macadamia orchards and cane farms.

In her ruling Justice Melanie Hindman’s agreed with Fox Resources’ submission that Mr Stewart had made an “error of law” by not thoroughly evaluating if the negative sentiment towards the coal mine had a “proper factual basis”.

In its statement the WA company’s board said it was committed to working closer with the community to advance the project.

In response to the latest decision, Bundaberg MP Tom Smith launched a petition against the project.

ALP Bundaberg MP Tom Smith called for the community to sign a petition against the mining project.

“The recent Stay Order put by the court on Friday is not a green-light for Fox Resources … it is a new challenge for us to come together and demonstrate that MDL 3040 is not in the public interest,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith also flagged community forums in which the public could “demonstrate” that the project is not in the public interest.

Splitters Farm owner Carly Clark said the proposal “doesn’t make any sense” to her given the importance of agriculture in the region.

Her popular agritourism venture in north Bundaberg is located within the mining lease land.

“I just think it doesn’t do anything for tourism in the region and it doesn’t do anything for the very delicate ecosystem that we’re situated on here,” she said.

“I don’t see any benefit to having a mine here, especially when we’re the agricultural foodbowl of Australia, it just doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Carly Clark, owner of Splitters Farm, a popular agritourism venture in north Bundaberg.

Activist group Lock the Gate Alliance has also backed the community’s opposition.

“From the council, to the growers, to business owners, and the average person on the street, it is beyond clear that the people of Bundaberg and the wider region do not want this coal mine,” Queensland co-ordinator Ellie Smith said.

“Fox Resources’ proposal really is a contender for the most locally unpopular coal mine in Australian history.”

Lock the Gate Alliance Queensland co-ordinator Ellie Smith said it is "beyond clear" that the people of Bundaberg are opposed to the coal mine.

Moore Park Beach Action Group spokesperson Alan Corbett claimed the coal mine is opposed by a broad section of the community.

“It is also opposed by the Bundaberg Regional Council, local farmers, irrigators, both local state representatives, the federal member for the seat of Flynn, and conservationists,” he said.

Fox Resources has been contacted for comment.