Antinuclear

Queensland’s Land Court’s decision for Xstrata – a devastating blow for the environment

Green group attacks Xstrata mine nod Yahoo Finance By Annie Guest and Sam Burgess | ABC –28 March 12  The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) has criticised the Land Court over its ruling on the Wandoan mining project in the Surat Basin on southern Queensland’s Western Downs.

Yesterday, the state’s Land Court gave the final go-ahead for the Xstrata mining company to develop Australia’s biggest open-cut coal mine near Wandoan, north-west of Toowoomba.
The Land Court recommended the Queensland Government approve the project and new Liberal National Party (LNP) Premier Campbell Newman says he is excited at the prospect.

Lobby group Friends of the Earth and seven local landholders had tried to halt the project on environmental grounds and say they are devastated with the court’s decision. Farmers say the development will consume prime food-production land and destroy lifestyles…..
‘Mockery’ ACF president professor Ian Lowe, who appeared at the
hearing on behalf of plaintiffs Friends of the Earth, says the ruling
sets a bad precedent.
He says the Land Court ruling makes a mockery of government attempts
to reduce carbon pollution.
“This coal mine, if it goes ahead, will contribute significantly to
global climate change,” he said.
“What the court is saying is that we’re happy to aim for five degrees
increase in average temperature.” Professor Lowe says the court failed
to look at the big picture.
“Historically the courts have not been very good at considering the
collective impact to a range of projects and I think that the court
tends to look at each project, each coal mine, each development in
isolation,” he said.
The plan for the thermal coal mine, coal handling and preparation
plant has environmental approval from both State and Federal
Governments.
Xstrata is now proceeding with the final stage of its mining lease application.
The area would cover 32,000 hectares and the mine would have a life of
more than 30 years.
Farmers ‘disappointed’ But neighbouring farmers like Pat Devlin are
bitterly disappointed.
“This is prime food producing area here,” he said.
“The Wandoan area could potentially be one of the best grain growing
areas in Queensland and certainly is one of the best cattle growing
areas in Queensland.
“We’re not going to be able to feed our grandchildren at the rate this
is going…..
http://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/green-group-attacks-xstrata-mine-221130404.html

March 28, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | legal, Queensland