These are Bimblebox trees, on the Bimblebox Nature Refuge in Queensland’s Galilee Basin, several hours west of Emerald.
It’s such a special place, of such high conservation value, that the Federal Government chipped in about half the cost of the property, under the National Reserve System, called ‘Caring for our Country’.
This property had 97% remnant bushland still intact, a rarity in Queensland’s Desert Uplands bio-region, a declared Australian Biodiversity Hotspot. Paola Cassoni and friends have been caring for it, but the government clearly no longer does.
The government counts the Reserve System towards meeting their international obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Tick it off — then cross it off for mining? For they gave Clive Palmer’s Waratah Coal an exploration licence over Bimblebox, and now the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) confirms that his proposed China First mine would destroy Bimblebox Nature Refuge.
The opencut mine would take 52% of Bimblebox and the rest will be subject to major subsidence and interference from underground longwall mining.
People like Paola — and me — sign conservation contracts in perpetuity, to give up their bushland for the good of all, for the sake of regional and national bio-diversity. We remove weeds, nurture indigenous plants, harm not even a leaf that belongs there.
But the wishes of a mining company, for private profit, can negate this, render those cherished natural treasures as suitable for bulldozing. Only National Parks are safe from mining — so far.
Offsets are a sick joke and the myriad variety of living things on Bimblebox face destruction. If this mine goes ahead it will set a precedent for the invasion of all conservation areas.
Please have your say about this travesty and submit a comment on Waratah Coal’s Environmental Impact Statement. The more objections we raise, the louder we rattle the can, the more we will be heard.
The period for public comment closes on November 7th.
Paola and the Friends of Bimblebox have prepared a submission for people to send in, and have information for people who want to write their own.
Please visit the Bimblebox website to find out how to make a submission.
Dear Genevieve,
I consider what coal has done/is doing and what unconventional gas is doing/plans to do as a national tragedy. It is depressing, but don’t give up; keep rattling the can as loudly as you can via any media you can access, as thousands of impacted people all over Australia are increasingly doing. This is the time when the tipping point towards sanity is being forced on politicians, so every voice counts, given how obstinately deaf they are.
Just now, I am so saddened by what is happening around us – all of us and the land. I am distressed and trying to keep focussed. CSG and mining pose so many key issues, that it is difficult to keep them all in focus. Related issues are unsustainable population, political buy-offs, foreign investment, food security, destruction of agricultural land and rural communities, the iconic Aussie way of life, the annihilation of natural environments, public health costs, productivity, GDP to name a few … and these are ‘short’ long term effects – say 20 – 25 years hence.
CSG is the biggest single threat to the Australian Continent since 1770.
The National Water Commission has spoken.
The sovereign people have spoken.
The National Farmers’ Federation has spoken.
…. the list increases every day ….
Once we worked hard and rode on the back of sheep.
Now it seems, the Australian people will become Sheeple.
Do we want to see this in Australia:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-11/life-at-a-cambodian-rubbish-dump/3659920
Our National Anthem is gradually being reworded:
‘Our golden soils by stealth despoiled
Our home is wrecked by greed’
I’m with you, but how many of us are there?
Hi Everyone,
We were informed yesterday that the comment period for Waratah Coal’s EIS has been extended until December 19th. This is because Waratah has had an incomplete version of the EIS on their wbsite (a major omission being Appendix 10, which deals with the impact on the terrestrial ecology!). We have been told that the new comment period will be advertised this weekend.
The EDO is looking through our ‘short version’ to make sure is all correct for people to sign.
A mighty effort, Paola. The one-pager sounds perfect as a pro former; I’ll pass that on when you have it. As you say, this is bigger than Bimblebox.
THANKS Sharyn for helping us out! This EIS is a huge task, and the EIS process is under false pretence to be a democratic process. I don’t have any trust in the outcome, but let them see we can dance to their tune now, because Plan B will be a bit different. The mine and energy Dpt told us that if they receive between one and two thousands submissions, they will be inclined to identify that the issue could potentially be considered a public statement about how people feel towards mining in nature refuges. So we have also put together a one page submission and all people have to do is to print out, sign and email to the CG. It will be on our website soon.