Way of life under threat

MILES from the corridors of power and influence, men and women who love the land are watching their way of life slip from their grasp.

The Pini family (from left) Ben, Bryce, Dale, Kate, Julie and Michael, at the races recently. Julie Pini said relentless mining development was completely disrupting their way of life. Picture: PAULA HEELAN

MILES from the corridors of power and influence where politicians and developers do battle over rail corridors, men and women who love the land are watching their way of life slip from their grasp.

They didn't ask for the attention but the relentless pace of Bowen and Galilee Basin development puts them right in the firing line.

At Lancewood Station, near Nebo, Ben and Julie Pini have just learned that they will face further disruption from QR National's east-west corridor on their 16,000ha (40,000 acre) property.

Over near Clermont, on Pasha station, good friends Peter and Paula Heelan have got the worrying news that the GVK-Hancock Coal line will cut through a corner of their 8000ha (20,000 acre) property.

Both see the corridors as major intrusions but acknowledge there is little they can do about it.

"I think the announcement this morning will bring some relief, it does bring relief to us, because we did have two proposals going through our property, and that's probably the case for a lot of property owners," Julie Pini said.

"QR National will do further work, and the investigative corridor they asked for is a 10km strip, 5km either side of the current corridor. That's what they've requested... now it's a waiting game to see what happens."

Mrs Pini said the relentless pace of development had taken its toll.

"First we had the North Queensland gas line going through and that was completed in 2003," she said.

"In 2004 the Sunwater pipeline came through, then in 2005 QR rang us and said that the missing link project was going to go ahead, and the corridor would go though Lancewood.

"We have two mining leases. I think there are four other exploration permits. So that's six mining companies we deal with, and Arrow Energy are investigating for natural gas. And then there's the powerlines. It's just constant and it's totally changed our way of life.

"We just can't refuse to talk to them on the phone because they have a legitimate claim and we are obligated to work with them.

"But sometimes we get in such a headspin, just thinking about it all. Sometimes we just have to take a deep breath and remind ourselves we're doing the best we can."

Mrs Pini had to admit the intrusive pace of development was taking away the very thing they loved most about life on the land.

"People live out here for the quality of life, and that's been eroded, definitely, in the Bowen Basin," she said.

"There are many negatives of living remotely but there used to be lots of pluses; the quietness, the peace, being left to our own devices.

"The peace is definitely disrupted, visually and to our time.

"There's nothing like going to get mail and getting that registered post envelope. There's that feeling of dread, wondering what it is, and you think, not now, not another one."

Originally published as Way of life under threat