Bundaberg canegrowers, business represented on Fox reference group

Fox Resources hopes agricultural stalwarts and business community representatives will help them to steer a successful Bundaberg mining development application.

Fox Resources hopes past and former presidents of Bundaberg Canegrowers and representatives from the local business community help them to steer a successful mining development application for Bundaberg.

Past and former presidents of Bundaberg Canegrowers and an award-winning businessperson are among the people named by Fox Resources for the reference group to advise on the mining development lease proposed for Bundaberg.

Part of the WA mining exploration company’s community engagement strategy for MDL3040, a mining development lease covering a swath of agricultural land in north Bundaberg, Fox Resources had flagged in November 2023 the formation of a regional reference group to provide feedback on the proposal as the company developed its mining development application.

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The regional reference group is part of Fox Resources' community engagement strategy for MDL3040, a mining development lease covering a swath of agricultural land in north Bundaberg.

On Thursday, Fox Resources announced the establishment of the RRG, which will meet quarterly or more frequently as required, with the first meeting anticipated for next month.

The RRG will have three chairmen including Fox Resources executive director Bruce Garlick, Coastal Burnett Groundwater Management Area Advisory Committee chairman Allan Dingle and Bundaberg Canegrowers chairman Mark Pressler.

The business community is represented by former One Nation candidate for Hinkler and part-owner of Growth Gyms Zak Menhennett and owner-operator of Bundaberg East post office Debbie Barnham.

Current chairman of Bundaberg Canegrowers Mark Pressler is one of the chairmen of the Fox Resources RRG.

Freshly-anointed Queensland district president of the mining and energy union Mitch Hughes rounds out the group.

Mr Garlick said the appointment of members with experience in a wide range of sectors of importance to Bundaberg and Wide Bay would provide valuable input into the mining development application.

“The RRG is not designed to rubberstamp Fox Resources’ decisions,” Mr Garlick said.

“We look forward to genuine feedback and input from all our panel members as well as the broader community to ensure we have the best project possible that meets the expectations of the Bundaberg community, delivering valuable new jobs and other economic benefits while protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable development.”

LNP Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said he hoped the establishment of the RRG would lead to more thorough and transparent sharing of information around the mining development application.

LNP Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said he hoped the RRG would contribute to more effective sharing of information around MDL 3040.

“To date, there’s been a huge absence of information or community consultation from Fox Resources regarding their MDL 3040,” Mr Bennett said.

“While I acknowledge extractive industries plays an important role in boosting the economy and creating jobs, so far this MDL still has too many serious risks and unknowns.

“Our community needs accurate answers, not spin doctoring.

“I look forward to hearing the outcomes, advice and feedback from this reference group.”

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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, following which he would make his decision approving or rejecting the application around July.

Originally published as Bundaberg canegrowers, business represented on Fox reference group