Protect Bimblebox and the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve

No mining on the Steve Irwin Reserve or the Bimblebox Nature Refuge Petition

The reason why I started the petition stems from my research into mining activities after I saw on the ABC news late last year the farmers protesting in Brisbane.  They were protesting Coal Seam Gas activities.  City folk always come to the aid of farmers in times of drought and flood, so I decided to investigate.

 Then came a long a documentary ‘Bimblebox’ which contained insights into the CSG industry.  After seeing what happened in the Hunter Valley and Ackland. I started looking into other mining activities.  What I found out was that TAX PAYERS money through the National Reserve System Program under John Howard used $300000 to assist the buyers into setting up the Bimblebox Refuge.  The program also gave $6 million dollars to enable the establishment of the Steve Irwin Reserve.  So my question to the politicians is “if these areas are granted significant sums of money, which would indicate that they had significant environmental value – why are they allowed to be mined?

 In my opinion if the Queensland Government allows mining on the Steve Irwin Reserve it will be a desecration to Steve Irwin’s memory.  To put it another way it would be like taking the Arthur Beetson statue at Lang Park and using it as a piñata. Plus if they were allowed mining at Bimblebox (the best example of co-existence between nature and agriculture) it will just show that the Queensland LNP Government doesn’t care about the environment. 

My responses to Mr Cripps reply to the petition I organised calling for ‘No mining on the Steve Irwin Reserve or Bimblebox’. 

1.      Mr Cripps stated that Queensland voters entrusted the LNP to grow a 4 pillar economy - The majority of Queenslanders, 50.34% of voters voted for someone else, yet due to our electoral system they won in a massive landslide.  Just check out the Electoral Commission Queensland Website - http://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/ 

2.      Mr Cripps believes that mining will drive economic growth and prosperity.  I would hope he would have a rethink on this one – the unemployed aren’t taking these jobs.  They just take away from other industries, so these industries then struggle.  Plus the tourism industry will be adversely affected if the Great Barrier Reef loses its heritage listing.  The tourism industry has 6 times the jobs than coal.  In Gladstone the fishing industry was destroyed by the construction of ports to export csg and the coal.  It is just a time bomb waiting for an Exxon Valdez or a New Orleans BP disaster to occur on the reef.  Then where will we be?  

Then there is the fact that $554 million dollars in coal royalties have been paid to private individuals and firms, not the state government.  This is because on some land prior to March 1910, the rights were granted to the land holder.  So in some circumstances the miners pay themselves the royalties.

Plus the mining industry enjoys a Federal Rebate of 38 cents a litre on diesel.  I wonder how much this amounts to.  These dollars could be used for hospitals.  Plus then there are the extra costs in health caused by uncovered coal trains and coal dust swirls.

3.      Mr Cripps stated that at the state election the LNP committed itself to protecting Cape York’s iconic natural areas and areas of high conservation value, balanced with appropriate economic development.   I say the LNP can’t be trusted.  They have back flipped on commitments on Uranium Mining - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-22/qld-government-lifts-uranium-mining-ban/4326912 , CSG developments west of the Condamine River(hence Hooper left the party) and here on the Sunshine Coast they made a big deal over the Caloundra South Development.  Plus there is the removal of Alex Douglas from the Ethics Committee.

4.      Mr Cripps states objections to the grant of a mining lease are referred to the Land Court.  Does he know how much it costs to go to the Land Court?  Around $80000 for a full hearing of the court.  That might be loose change to him. 

5.      Mr Cripps states just because Alumina’s has gained ‘Significant Project’ declaration doesn’t imply the Government’s approval of, commitment to or support the Pisolite Hills Project.  I suggest that the LNP’s 4 Pillar policy would suggest they whole heartedly support it.  Plus there is the Premier’s comment , ‘Mining is our business’  - If I have misquoted him let me know.

6.      Mr Cripps states that for the Pisolite project would need Commonwealth approval.  Well that doesn’t mean much when the Federal Government is looking at dumping their environmental responsibilities and handing them to the States.

7.      Mr Cripps stated ‘Mining within a Nature Refuge is limited by the conditions imposed under an EA, issued by EHP under the EP Act. Any resulting EA is conditioned to provide appropriate protection of environmental values of the area as well as rehabilitation requirements.’  Well if Mr Cripps can show me anywhere else that mining's been rehabilitated to its former glory that would be a first.  Plus I believe there is a lack of monitoring and if Mining Companies get caught breaching conditions the fines are like a slap on the wrist.  What’s $5000 when you earn your overseas multinational company billions?

 

For Your Information – Make sure if you care about issues you speak up.

 Mr Cripps email - nrm@ministerial.qld.gov.au

 At present Terri Irwin has petition 1966-12 Stop Mining on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/e-petitions  You can sign this petition up til 11^th of March, 2013.  Note - Queenslanders only can sign this petition

To find out more on Bimblebox go to – www.bimblebox.org plus take a look at the Documentary

 Great books to read are ‘Richland, Wasteland’ by Sharyn Munro and ‘Dirty Fracking Business’ by Peter Ralph

http://au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/15611841/ministers-assurances-cold-comfort-for-bimblebox-owner/  and http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-12/ministers-assurances-cold-comfort-for-bimblebox-owner/4423366?&section=news Interviewed by Paul Robinson of the ABC – Rockhampton.

 

Plus earlier this year I ran a petition for the Australian Senate - Don't UnderMINE the National Reserve System Program via www.communityrun.org  It was tabled by Larrissa Waters - Queensland Senator

 

Paul Dawkins

Whatever Happened to New World?

                                  "GUILTY"

 

John "Fuzzy" Lee launches his autobiography on Amazon.  John is founding member of the Band of New World that shot to stardom in the 60's and 70's but was short lived.  Why?  Find out in Johns book called, Guilty.  It is the scandal that ousted "Watergate of the Front Pages"  They were found guilty but of what?   Though not imprisoned for anything, their careers were basically over due to the press coverage of the case. 

John wrote the book for his two children, Jared and Ellie.  John didn't know a lot about his dad and didn't want his kids not to know him.  It explores his early life and the impact that his hormones had on him.  His hormones ultimately led John going into the music industry.  And of course it details the groups successes and then of course their demise.  The also book  lifts the lid on a few of the industries tricks and takes aim at the press while also rubbishing todays talent shows.

 

The book sells for $9.99 at http://www.amazon.com/Guilty-ebook/dp/B00A9WY3Y8/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1353492036&sr=1-3&keywords=Guilty - You can also checkout the New World Fan Page on facebook.

Australian Senate Petitioned

Today Larissa Waters MP from the Greens tabled two petitions.  The following are the statements that were released by her office in regards to the two petitions -

“Nature Reserve System Program not to be undermined” petition

A message from Australian Greens Senator for Queensland, Larissa Waters:

Thank you for signing the “Nature Reserve System Program not to be undermined” petition! You just did something fantastic, by standing up for our environment together with hundreds of other Australians.

Today, I tabled this petition in the Senate. It is important that elected representatives hear from community members like yourself about issues that matter.

Our environment is under attack like never before. The ALP and the Coalition are ganging up to gut our environment laws, and make it easier for the mining industry to destroy what we love about Australia. Valuable wildernesses that are rich in biodiversity, like the Bimblebox Nature Reserve, need stronger protection.

You can get involved with our new campaign, Too Precious To Lose, that gives every Australian the opportunity to nominate precious places and wildlife that they believe are too precious to lose to mining and development.

You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter for information about the action I am taking in the Senate and the community to protect our environment.

 

The second statement is similar - (so I have omitted most of the repetition)

 

For the “Australians want a Coal Seam Gas moratorium” petition

A message from Australian Greens Senator for Queensland, Larissa Waters:

Thank you for signing the “Australians want a Coal Seam Gas moratorium” petition! You just did something fantastic, by standing up for clean water and land together with hundreds of other Australians.

Today, I tabled this petition in the Senate. It is important that elected representatives hear from community members like yourself about issues that matter.

Thousands of Australians in the city and the bush are concerned about coal seam gas, and they’re not wrong. Both the CSIRO and the National Water Commission have said they don’t know what the long term impacts of CSG drilling will be groundwater and farmland. But Labor and the Coalition are listening only to the mining billionaires. The old parties must start listening to voices like yours and the Australian community, protesting the sell out of the future of our farmland and our environment for a quick buck in fossil fuels.

 

My say - So there are people out there that care what happens to this country, so get informed and get involved.  Don't just vote at election time get involved in the process.  It's the only way to make a change.  Sign a petition, speak up on issues you care about.  Don't become disillusioned by the daily soap opera that the news airs over leadership tensions in the parties and all the other nonsense that goes on.  Focus on the issues, not the personalities.  The two petitions tabled were ran on www.communityrun.org by Sunshine Coast resident Paul Dawkins. 

 

June 19, 2012

Media Release

        Nicklin MP supports moratorium on coal seam gas Projects

Nicklin MP Peter Wellington said there has been a passionate response from Queenslanders wanting to sign a petition calling for a 12-month moratorium on Coal Seam Gas Projects which he tabled in Parliament recently.

He said there are paper petitions available in his office to sign, or people can support the e-petition on the Parliament House website.  The petition calls for a "12 month moratorium on Coal Seam Gas (CSG) Projects due to the adverse impacts on prime agricultural land, drinking supplies and human health".  It also requests a moratorium while further scientific tests are carried out to ensure that the industry techniques pose no threat to prime agricultural land, drinking water and human health.

In relation to the state government's auditing requirements of the coal seam industry, Mr Wellington has also put pressure on the government to answer some questions about compliance activities.  On June 7 he asked the Premier if all required industry compliant plans were being undertaken, are the plans up to date, and have the required compliance activity targets been met?   "If not, what is the government doing about this failure?" (A response is due on July 9)

Principal petitioner Paul Dawkins, of Nambour, said he felt it was necessary that the people of Queensland have the opportunity to voice their concerns about the rapid expansion of the CSG industry.  "The issue of the coal seam gas industry is not just an environmental one for the Greens.  I would say it's an issue for everyone, with serious concerns about the impacts on human health, agricultural land, and the future of agricultural and tourism jobs."

Mr Dawkins said food security and human health impacts are at the heart of the issue for him.  "Loss of agricultural land means that we will be eating inferior produce from overseas, at a loss to our own Aussie farmers.  We support our farmers in times of flood and drought - don't stop now!"

People can sign the e-petition (1883-12) at http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/e-petitions or visit Peter Wellington's office at 51 Currie Street, Nambour, to sign a paper petition.

Contact: Peter Wellington's Electoral Office - Phone: (07) 5441 6933



Will Bimblebox Survive Clive Palmer's 'China First' Project?

Bimblebox - a review

Bimblebox is a compelling argument to protect the 8000ha Bimblebox Nature Refuge, located in central-western Queensland.  It is a very important Desert Uplands bioregion in an area that has very little protection.  Clive Palmer wants to start an open cut mine on the property.  The question is will Clive win the battle?  He won't if the passion for this majestic piece of land of Paula Cassoni's has anything do with it.   For more information on Bimblebox Nature Refuge go to http://bimblebox.org/  There is more to the documentary though.

Bimblebox explores the adverse impacts of open cut mining and coal seam gas on communities throughout Australia, while discussing solutions to the provision of energy.  The personal stories will move you to take action, for an example a farmer giving a plea for trucks not to enter a property and the town where the only resident left is unwilling to sell his house.  The queston to the wider public, as Australians do we want to disrespect people in the chase of quick cash, and no way of producing food in Australia in the years to come or become an important food bowl for the world where communities have a say on what occurs on the land?  I give the documentary a must see rating.  If you go to http://bimbleboxdocumentary.com/ you will find screenings of the movie.

This documentary was shown at the Nambour Civic Centre yesterday to a mix crowd of well informed people on the subject matter and to people wanting to know more what is occurring in our great country of ours.  Ellie Smith the Associate Producer at the end of the movie had a Q&A session.  The audience definitely wanted to aid the protection of Bimblebox. 

Dirty Fracking Business - a review.

Dirty Fracking Business is a must read book, especially if you don't know what CSG is and what is inherently wrong with it.  Author, Peter Ralph paints a very bleak picture for Australia's future in his book.  He foreshadows food shortages due to prime agricultural land being lost, water supplies in short supply and people's health put at risk due to the "Dirty Fracking Business" that is CSG. This is what awaits us if we don't become advocates for the environment, artisan water basins, fertile agricultural land and the way of life in rural communities.  The story he tells is not just of one town, it is a story that is taking place across numerous communities throughout Australia and the world.  The Coal Seam Gas Industry is in his line of sight.  The book will reinvigorate the already converted to stay the course.  It is though primarily directed at city folk to awaken them to the harsh reality of what CSG is doing to our country cousins and what is instore for them if they don't join the struggle.

If you want to know more about Coal Seam Gas, see Gasland or Bimblebox documentaries.  There are also numerous community groups that have been set up in order to save communities.  Lock the Gate in Australia is a National body, which Drew Hutton leads.  Drew Hutton provides the foreword to Peter Ralph's "Dirty Fracking Business".  The book is avaliable at all good book stores.

Mysterious happenings on rail network

Just imagine you get on a train and you are heading towards the capital city of a state.  You are enjoying your trip as you look out the window to see the scenic views along the way.  You pull out of a station to get going again.  All of a sudden the train stops and reverses back up the track.    You are wondering "what on earth is happening?"  No - someone hasn't hijacked the train.  The train is just going back to the previous station.  Why? To allow another train to pass of course.  That is what you get on the Sunshine Coast Rail Line between Beerburrum to Nambour.  That is just one of the bizarre things that occur on this stretch of train track.  If this occurred in Europe we would be a laughing stock, so you have to wonder what tourists say about us when they get home.
 
Mystery 2 - You turn up to the train station to catch a train.  You wait on the platform for the train, only to be told you missed the bus.  Yes, a bus.  Due to there being only one rail track, buses are used along the line.  This is because freight services are using the single train track.  44% of the train services are buses.  That amounts to 26 bus trips a day.  The Nambour to Caboolture stretch of track is just 54kms in length.  To take a bus and not the train adds at least 30 minutes to a commuters travel time. 

Travelling to Brisbane from the Sunshine Coast can be daunting.  Just think about those people that travel to Brisbane 5 days a week to work. They are squeezed in like sardines on the trains.  On occasions there is not even toilet facilities for the long haul trip.  I haven't travelled on the service for over 4 years now, but I understand the situation has not improved.  The situation is also likely to worsen as the population on the Sunshine Coast is set to boom.  The Sunshine Coast population in 2006 was around 297000 people, 2012 around 330000, by 2031 it is expected to reach half a million. 

Why is 2031 important, that is what the former Labor Government set as the target date to have the duplication completed by and what the new LNP Government has committed to do.  The LNP prior to their big win were giving the impression that they would be fast tracking the duplication.  There was the petition by John Connolly(contender for the Nicklin Seat) which was sponsored by Andrew Powell(Glass House Mountains MP and Environment Minister) calling for the duplication
to be resumed.  So, I hope they keep their promise.

The Bligh Government had planned on the duplication to be done earlier.  2009 saw the completion of the Caboolture to Beerburrum track duplication.  It also saw Labor lose the seat of Glass House Mountains in their re-election win.  24 days later the duplication project was shelved.  In 2012, there is a new LNP government.  Scott Emerson the Transport Minister announced an audit which will look at the duplication along with other public transport issues.   I asked Jeff Addison a Sunshine Coast Commuter Advocate, "what do you expect from the LNP's Rail Audit? Put it off til 2031 or is there hope?"  His reply, "There is hope. I'm certain of that."  The final report is out on June 30.  We will have to wait and see if these mysterious goings on will finally be resolved for Sunshine Coast Commuters.

A call for action on Nambour Hospital Car Parking

There is a lack of car parking in Nambour in general.  The car parking situation around the hospital though is a hot spot and the hospital staff and the local residents are just fed up.  This issue has been going on for far too long.
Staff should not have to walk to their car in the dark of night - Where is the duty of care?
If I visit a sick loved one, I am not going to leave their bedside just to move my car - Why should I be fined?  Recently, a friend of mine was fined $75 when he visited his mother at the hospital, who is fighting a battle against cancer.  Why cause people anguish when they have more important things to worry about like providing emotional support to those that they care for dearly? The LNP needs to keep their promise.
At the recent state election the LNP were saying that they are the only ones that can solve the parking problem in Nambour.  The LNPs John Connolly lost the battle for the seat of Nicklin though.  Despite this the LNP Government won't be getting a honeymoon period when they first sit in the new parliament later this week.  Indepedent MP Peter Wellington, will be doing everything he can to hold the LNP to their promise.  He has said that he will hold them to account and wants to see action within the first 100 days of the Newman Government. 
MP Peter Wellington has a lot of support in the Nicklin Electorate and outside of his electorate on this issue.  A number of people from across the Sunshine Coast have signed a petition calling for a multi-storey car park to be built.  Among the signatories include several of the former Mayoral candidates for the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, including Warren Blee, Debbie Blumel, Brett Winkler and Michael Bloyce.  At the first sitting of Parliament, Peter Wellington submitted the first of many to come petitions, I suspect.  The first batch had 178 signatures.  Plus on the first sitting day of the new parliuament an epetition wass launched.  The link is http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/e-petitions  It will be over to the Health Minister, Lawrence Springborg to deliver.

Update - 30/5/12

Peter Wellington MP has submitted more signed petitions today(around 470).  The Sunshine Coast Daily is covering the story in the paper tomorrow.

Queenslanders to have their say on CSG

Queenslanders - Send an email to GasFieldscommission@qld.gov.au Subject: Submissions. These can be made prior to the 25th of May, 2012. I have come up with a tempplate to make it easier for everyone.

To: Gas Fields Commission

I, (insert name) want to see -

1. A 12 month moratorium on Coal Sam Gas Projects.

2. Protection of the Surat, Bowen and Galilee Basins to take precedence over any CSG operation.

3. Protection of our food bowl as electricity cannot provide food and water.

4. Farmers to be allowed to say no to access to mining companies.

5. Farmers are not to be held responsible if cattle or other animal stock damage mining company equipment.

6. Any CSG leaks must be reported within 2 hours to government authorities.

7. For every rogue well and leak, the company needs to pay hefty fines - note that retailers face hefty fines if they sell tobacco products to under age customers.

8. Farmers that lose their Organic status or their property values decline due to CSG extraction within the region to be compensated FAIRLY.

9. CEOs to face imprisonment if an environmental catastrophe occurs (Eg .The BP situation of the US coast) and if people become ill( Eg. Long term effects from Asbestos).

10. Extraction methods to be reported and detailed to the commission.

11. Trained Environment Protection Officers to inspect all wells on a regular basis and to ensure companies are compliant with up to date records.

12. A cost benefit analysis needs to be done before each project is permitted.
13. Protect the 8000 hectare Bimblebox Nature Refuge from 'China First'.

14. The Commission should consist of knowledgeable and experienced people. (Eg. Peter Ralph, Bob Irwin, Andrew Bartlett).

Kind Regards

(Insert Name)

PS Protect our food bowl and water supplies for future generations. There will be food shortages in the future as the world population heads towards 10 billion people. Don't let the Surat and Bowen Basins become infertile - our children and all future generations rely on us to make the right decisions today. The CSG will be there in 12 months time. Ensure the practices are safe first. Don't risk it, PLEASE!!!!