Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House to the uncertainty facing farmers and their families in the Acland district because of the threat to their underground water supply and land, farmed continuously for over 150 years, from a proposed coal mine expansion. We draw to the attention of the House the dire state of the economy in Oakey after 20 years of mining impact. We draw the attention of the House to the further loss of business and employment to the town of Oakey should Acland’s family farms be closed or curtailed. We draw the attention of the House to the fact that water allocations to local farmers have been cut by up to 50% while the mine proposal is slated to produce a further drawdown of 900 million litres a year from surrounding aquifers.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to protect the district’s prime farmland, classed in the top 1.5% in Queensland, together with its local milk production of 10 million litres and its water resources and farming jobs, from coal mining. We further request the House assist the local community to invest in agriculture and new sustainable enterprises, and that it provide skills training and financial support for former mine workers and local residents to restore prosperity to Acland, Oakey, and surrounding districts.