Fox Resources denies conflict of interest in Dingle property holdings

Fox Resources says it was not aware a Bundaberg farmer appointed to its community advisory group owned more than 100ha of land within MDL 3040.

A global transparency movement has described as a “red flag” the inclusion of farmers on Fox Resources’ community reference group.

A global transparency movement has described as a “red flag” the inclusion of farmers on Fox Resources’ community reference group.

In February Fox Resources announced a regional reference group to advise on its mining development lease proposed for MDL 3040, a swath of agricultural land in north Bundaberg.

Chaired by Fox Resources executive director Bruce Garlick, the RRG includes Coastal Burnett Groundwater Management Area Advisory Committee chairman Allan Dingle and Bundaberg Canegrowers chairman Mark Pressler, in addition to two local business people.

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Mr Dingle owns two properties in Moorland within the bounds of MDL 3040, consisting of farmland and a residential property of more than 100ha.

Mr Pressler does not own any property within MDL 3040, according to property data website CoreLogic.

Coastal Burnett Groundwater Management Area Advisory Committee chairman Allan Dingle owns more than 100 hectares of land within the bounds of MDL 3040.

Transparency International Australia, the local chapter of a global organisation seeking to stamp out corruption in various aspects of democratic societies, claims through a 2020 study to have found vulnerabilities in mining applications in Queensland including an absence of local integrity frameworks and a lack of community engagement.

Accountable mining research and program manager for Transparency International Australia, Dr Ana Estefanía Carballo, said potential conflicts of interests can weaken mining applications, and cloud fair and transparent process.

“Having only farmers, miners and businessmen around the table as a reference group for a mining application is a red flag and could mean that local communities are kept in the dark,” Dr Carballo said.

Accountable mining research and program manager for Transparency International Australia Dr Ana Estefanía Carballo said the inclusion of Mr Dingle and other farmers on the RRG represents a conflict of interest.

“If we’re to have meaningful consultation, reference groups need to be inclusive and avoid conflicts of interest (which) can tilt the playing field, favouring those with the most to gain.

“When mining companies face conflicts of interest in engaging with communities, it tarnishes the integrity of their applications if they are not resolved.”

Fox Resources executive chairman, Bruce Garlick, said the company was not aware of Mr Dingle’s property ownership when it appointed him to the RRG.

Mr Dingle’s nomination was welcomed due to his position as chairman of the Coastal Burnett Groundwater Management Area Advisory Committee, with the impact of the coal mine on groundwater an important consideration for the development of the operation.

While saying it was too early to make any comment regarding property purchases from which landholders such as Mr Dingle could potentially benefit, Mr Garlick said the RRG would take measures to ensure any potential conflicts of interest were handled appropriately through the group’s discussions.

“Regarding Mr Dingle’s property ownership, there are standard processes which can be used to ensure the independence of any decision-making, for example, excluding Mr Dingle from any discussions in relation to potential land acquisitions,” Mr Garlick said.

Allan Dingle said his participation in the reference group was in his capacity as representative of groundwater resource users and he would be opposing the proposal in RRG discussions and decision-making.

Dr Carballo said to maximise the integrity of the process, conflicts of interest were better handled prior to the establishment of any community engagement forums, rather than in the course of their operation.

“Community consultations are vital arenas for fair decision-making,” she said.

“To ensure legitimacy, mining firms must actively tackle conflicts of interest upfront.”

Mr Dingle confirmed his property was within the bounds of MDL 3040, but said his participation in the group was in his capacity as representative of groundwater resource users and he would be opposing the proposal in RRG discussions and decision-making.

“I’ll definitely oppose it,” he said.

“The property is not for sale, it hasn’t been for sale since 1871 and it won’t be for sale in the future.”

Bundaberg region farming advocate Judy Plath, who has been a vocal opponent of the mine, had confidence that Mr Dingle would represent the interests of irrigators, but was “cynical” about Fox Resources’ intentions in including him on the group.

Judy Plath (centre), with Moore Park Beach Action Group spokesperson Alan Corbett (left) and LNP Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett (right), said she had confidence that Mr Dingle would represent the interests of irrigators.

“Allan is well placed to explain to Fox Resources that a coal mine is a serious threat to the surface water resources in our regions ... I imagine that (he) will robustly object to Fox Resources’ plans to develop a coal mine at north Bundaberg and will work hard to represent the best interests of groundwater users in this region,” she said.

“I am very cynical about Fox Resources’ agenda in forming this so called ‘reference group’.

“Personally, I think Fox is trying to legitimise their very unpopular project in our community by associating themselves with well-known, and well-respected locals such as Allan Dingle and organisations such as Canegrowers.”

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Speaking at a MDL 3040 community forum in December 2023, Resources Minister Scott Stewart said he expected Fox Resources to submit its application by mid-March of this year, following which he would make his decision approving or rejecting the application around July.