Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt is due to make a decision on the massive coal mine that would destroy Bimblebox Nature Refuge by 20th December. The proposed mine is called ‘Galilee Coal Project’ (otherwise known as ‘China First’) and is owned by , who is a businessman and Member of Federal Parliament.
We urge all Bimblebox supporters to call Greg Hunt’s office or drop him an email this week, to let him know that there is a big number of Australians out there who don’t want to see this mine go ahead.
Phone: (02) 6277 2276 or (03) 5979 3188
Email: Greg.Hunt.MP@environment.gov.au
Tell Minister Hunt: “Save Bimblebox from coal mining!”
Here are some key points you might like to mention:
- Bimblebox is an important private protected area in Queensland’s Desert Uplands that was saved from tree clearing by concerned families. It forms part of and is covered by a perpetual conservation covenant. It is a valuable conservation area that should not be mined!
- The destruction of Bimblebox by mining would represent the most significant impact experienced to date on a nature refuge. A dangerous precedent that should not be set!
- Waratah Coal has proposed ‘offsetting’ Bimblebox. However, these ‘offset’ areas are areas of bushland that already exist, so it would only result in a net loss of biodiversity in Queensland!
- Waratah Coal wants to mine and export 40 million tonnes of coal every year from this proposed mine. That equates to around 95 million tonnes of CO2 – from the nation of Greece. This coal should be kept in the ground in the interests of a safe climate!
- If the mine goes ahead it would have a significant impact on groundwater – a vital resource in the region and for the local grazing industry. Australia cannot afford to sacrifice its precious groundwater!
- The Galilee Coal Project is only one of up to ten proposed in the Galilee Basin. The cumulative impacts on land, water, communities and the global climate are enormous. These cumulative costs need to be accounted for before any more mines are approved!
When you’re finished please share these on facebook and twitter so we can spread the word!
Paola has written an open letter to Minister Hunt which you can download here for additional information, and you will also find lots of great information in a , which they have shared for the public’s benefit. A number of other people have agreed to share their letters to Greg Hunt as well – we are hearing from a diverse range of people right across Australia and abroad. It seems that no-one wants this mine to go ahead!