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.
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.
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?§ion=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
