Farmers for Climate Action has expressed dismay at the Premier’s comments that the QLD government would consider Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility loan applications from fossil fuel companies wanting to start projects in the Galilee Basin.
“Any new mining in the Galilee Basin threatens groundwater and grazing industries – regardless of which mining company is behind it,” said Farmers for Climate Action Queensland coordinator Michael Kane.
“The Galilee Basin is in the heart of Queensland’s $5 billion grazing industry. Agriculture in central Queensland contributes more than $6 billion to the economy and employs tens of thousands of Queenslanders annually.
“These fossil fuel projects put at risk the water and land resources and industry the central Queensland region depends on.
“Sustainable industries like agriculture, renewable energy and tourism are crying out for infrastructure investment in central and northern Queensland. It is unfathomable why governments are so keen to throw billions at industries that support few jobs at the risk of industries that are so vital to Queensland’s economy.
“It is time to invest in and support sustainable industries like agriculture, tourism and renewables in central Queensland, which are the real economy drivers of this state.”
Central Queensland grazier, William Graham started a petition in October last year to stop the compulsory acquisition of grazing land for Adani’s rail line. 44,000 people have now supported the petition.
“As a grazier I care deeply about our land, water and our rural communities – any further expansion of coal mining in the Galilee Basin threatens all of this,” said Mr Graham.
“We know that agriculture is the backbone of rural Australia and we know that NAIF funds would be better spent on the development of critical infrastructure for agriculture across the north.
“Graziers are on the front line of climate change and at the coal face of mining development in Queensland. It’s time for all levels of Government to prioritise farmers over the interests of mining giants.”
