NewsMail poll shows majority oppose coal mine for Bundaberg

A NewsMail poll has revealed results that contradict the WA mining exploration company’s claims of community support for a coal mine near Bundaberg, but social media comments back the plan.

A NewsMail poll has revealed results that directly contradict the WA mining exploration company’s claims of community support for a coal mine in prime agricultural land.

NewsMail polling on the coal mine proposed for Bundaberg has revealed public opinion is divided on whether it will be an economic boon or a threat to the agricultural lifeblood of the region.

Perth-based Fox Resources commissioned a survey it claims shows two-thirds of Bundaberg residents favour a steel-making coal mine in MDL 3040, a mining development lease covering 7818ha of agricultural land in north Bundaberg.

In a phone survey run by independent polling company DemosAU from November 6-8, 505 residents were asked if they agreed with the proposition that “new coal mines should be approved if the coal is used to manufacture steel”, without any indication of the location of the coal mines.

The Fox Resources mining development lease MDL 3040 covers a 7818ha swath of agricultural land in north Bundaberg.

The results showed 69 per cent of respondents “strongly” or “somewhat” agreed with the proposition, which led Fox Resources to conclude in a November 13 media release that two thirds of Bundaberg residents support the mine they propose for the region.

This claim of majority support contrasts sharply with a NewsMail poll that as of November 20 has received 374 responses, with 67 per cent answering “no” to the question “do you support the coal mine proposed for Bundaberg?”.

The results suggest that when the community is asked about its support for a coal mine in Bundaberg, rather than coal mines in general, the majority are not in favour of the proposal.

But a more informal poll conducted by NewsMail through a Facebook post gave more polarised responses supporting Fox Resources’ claims of majority support for the mine.

As of 3.30pm on November 20, 65 per cent (269 out of 416 responses) indicated their support for the coal mine proposed for Bundaberg.

The majority of responses to a NewsMail Facebook poll posted on Monday, November 20 indicated they supported the proposed coal mine.

Many of the comments posted by those in favour of the mine spoke of the economic benefits that it would bring to the region, in line with Fox Resources executive director Bruce Garlick’s comments that it would provide 200 local jobs, 20 new apprenticeships and about $45 million per year in revenue for local suppliers.

Facebook user Chris Hand said “the infrastructure, and jobs that it will create will boost the economy and help people with employment and better wages”.

Comments opposed to the coal mine were concerned with its effects on agriculture in the region, and the potential health issues it could bring.

“People are saying no because a mine will devastate the local agriculture industry by contaminating groundwater,” Mike Rows said.

“It will also lower air quality which will bring a host of medical problems.”

Bundaberg farmer Judy Plath (middle, with LNP Burnett MP Stephen Bennett and Moore Park Beach Action Group spokesperson Alan Corbett) said the threat to agriculture in the region far outweighed any potential economic benefits from the coal mine.

Fox Resources has claimed the mine will be underground, so will thus have “minimal impact on the surface or the environment”, and will use water from an aquifer that is not being used for residential consumption or agricultural purposes.

However, Bundaberg farmer Judy Plath said the promise of economic benefits from the project was far outweighed by the threat to agriculture in the region.

“A coal mine threatens our reputation as a clean, green farming area, it threatens the water supplies that we rely on, and it threatens the 8000 jobs that are supported in this area by local farmers,” Ms Plath said in an October 5 media conference.

The public will have an opportunity to discuss the proposal in a community forum announced on Monday by ALP Bundaberg MP Tom Smith.

The MDL 3040 Community Public Interest Forum will be held at Moore Park Beach Community Hall, on Sunday, December 3.

Register for the event here.