Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House; Fox Resources MDL3040 Resources Minister Scott Stewart’s preliminary review found coal exploration north of Bundaberg is not in the public interest.

Protect the Bush Alliance strongly advocates against the development of coal mines in coastal floodplains. Fox Resources asserts the company will minimise environmental impacts while establishing a coal mine in the vicinity of Yandaran Creek and the Kolan River. Your petitioners advocate that Fox Resources cannot predict future flood events which could result in contaminated mine waste polluting a sensitive coastal environment.

• It is not common that agricultural landscapes are regarded as areas with significant biodiversity-this assumption constantly fails reality.
• Surveys undertaken by PTBA at Avondale identified significant hollow bearing trees. 106 bird species identified. One 20 minute survey of two old paddock trees recorded 93 birds of 28 species, including three finch species. Many bush bird species are suffering declines as high as 59%; we cannot emphasise how important roadside remnants and areas of rank grass are for the survival of our native fauna.
  
• 769 native plant species were found within the mine footprint; 13 were classified, 9 were at risk.
  
• The development of this mine would impact riparian edges, remove woodland and create airborne pollutants close to settled communities.
  
• Pollution would impact the Kolan Conservation Park and nearby turtle rookeries.
  

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all in its power to ensure MDL3040 is rejected in its entirety as it is not in the public interest.