The Bundaberg region, known as one of Queensland's primary agricultural areas, is facing the potential development of a coal mine. If approved, this mine would be one of the most coastal in the state. Local farmers are expressing concern that the mine could adversely affect water supplies crucial to their fields, posing a risk to the region's food supply and their livelihoods.
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TVTranscript
00:00 This is Mark Mason's slice of paradise.
00:06 He carefully tends to each tree, but he's worried the farm's future could be cut short
00:13 if his water security dried up.
00:16 "It jeopardises this region's ability to be competitive to grow food for the nation."
00:23 Fox Resources has applied for a Mineral Development Licence for a 7,800 hectare coking coal mine.
00:31 "The prospect of a coal mine being allowed in a food bowl is just ridiculous."
00:36 The initial licence was rejected by the Resources Minister in 2022, the first to be turned down
00:44 by the current Queensland Government.
00:46 But 18 months later, that decision was set aside by the Supreme Court.
00:52 "This is a process that we know has been challenged through courts and is now being resubmitted
00:59 for a final decision."
01:00 The company says it won't disrupt water supply.
01:03 "We're not going to have any impact on the aquifers or the underground water."
01:08 "This is prime agricultural land and we don't want that damaged by mining, so that's not
01:13 for our region."
01:14 Commodity experts say labour shortages, extreme weather and growing demand for steel are driving
01:20 up the price of metallurgical coal, incentivising companies to invest in new mines.
01:27 "If people think there's a cost of living crisis at the moment, you imagine taking away
01:32 one of the biggest food bowls within Australia."
01:35 "To have a coal mine kilometres away is just disastrous for people."
01:40 [BLANK_AUDIO]