An open letter to all parties present at Wednesday’s council meeting.
— Read on www.bellingencourier.com.au/story/6455638/letter-managing-the-forests-of-the-upper-kalang/
Some thoughts on the relationship between forests, water, ecosystem services and sustainability in northern NSW
Filed under Uncategorized
The Newman-Seeney government is proposing to restrict the right to object to mining applications to people directly affected such as the owner of the land. Community groups including environment organisations will not be able to object to the majority of mining applications.
Currently, any person or group can object and that can lead to the matter being heard by the Land Court. According to Deputy Premier, Jeff Seeney, that is “frustrating” for the government.
The Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Andrew Cripps, has released a discussion paper for public comment. Submissions close on Friday 28 March. The discussion paper can be downloaded at http://mines.industry.qld.gov.au/mining/mining-lease-notification-initiative.htm
On releasing the discussion paper, Mr Cripps said “The proposed reforms will allow us to hear from those who are directly impacted by the development rather than extreme green groups in Melbourne or California whose life goal is to create a road block for economic development. These individuals or groups have little or no interest in our state and submit vexatious objections to tie up economically beneficial projects.”
Jeff Seeney told the ABC, “It’s obvious that the current process allows individuals or groups who are fundamentally opposed to the coal industry – for whatever reason – to use the objection process to frustrate and delay those projects,”
“The people of Queensland have elected us as a government based on developing our coal industry to supply the world markets and our processes need to allow us to do that.”
The Environmental Defenders Office Queensland has identified the issues and produced a summary of the discussion paper as well as a sample submission. They can be found at the EDO Queensland web site.
Filed under Government Policy, Uncategorized
