The Newman Government has today ignored environmental concerns and the opposition of Traditional Owners by introducing legislation to extend sand mining on North Stradbroke Island until as late as 2040.
“ Despite serious environmental impacts and pleas from traditional owners for the mining to stop, Campbell Newman is extending sand mining on Straddie until up to 2040 for the very mining company that helped to pay for the election campaign that saw him become premier, ” Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens environment spokesperson , said.
“The mining operations on Straddie are permanently destroying old-growth forest koala habitat and ancient layered sand dunes, compromising the ecological values and future tourism potential of Straddie.
“Anyone who has flown out from Brisbane over beautiful Moreton Bay will have seen how sand mining is already trashing big swathes of Straddie – it’s madness to allow this destruction to continue on Brisbane’s doorstep.
“Research shows the mining is also altering the flow of water into the internationally significant 18 mile swamp wetlands that surround the mine site.
“The community has raised valid concerns that Enterprise mine has been operating illegally without federal environmental approval to safeguard the internationally significant wetlands next to the mine.
“Only under such an environmentally ruthless government as Campbell Newman’s would we see this potentially illegal, environmentally disastrous sand mining given free reign for decades longer, against the wishes of the local Indigenous community ,” Senator Waters said.
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Press Release, October 17, 2013