Mining will continue on North Stradbroke Island for the next three-and-a-half years after state parliament passed legislation on Thursday morning.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
The Bill was passed with a one vote majority 42 to 41 just after 1am this morning.
Mine staff catching the early ferry to work on the island were tight-lipped about the move.
One said he was in disbelief and would not talk for fear of retribution.
Sand miner Sibelco was busy briefing staff about the ramifications of the legislation on the island this morning.
Parliament was to address two Bills on the issue but when the government’s Bill was passed the second was dismissed.
The second was a private member’s Bill tabled by Dalrymple MP Shane Knuth in October recommending mining leases to be renewed to 2024 for mining and to 2029 for rehabilitation.
A total of 19 amendments were moved to the government’s Bill – 14 of which were minor structural amendments.
The three main features of the legislation were ending mining on the island by 2019, reinstating a restricted mine path for the Enterprise mine and setting up a new rehabilitation authority.
Under the legislation, the government included a $28million draft economic transition strategy and workers’ assistance package.
The rehabilitation authority will oversee new rehabilitation leases including one for Yarraman Mine, which came into effect today.
The time for Sibelco to apply for an amendment to the restricted mine path was also extended from four to six months, to give QYAC and the mine company more time to reach deals on possible changes.
The Mineral Resources Act was also amended to allow Sibelco limited access, for up to three years, to land for rehabilitation after the end of a mining lease.
Cleveland MP Mark Robinson, an active campaigner to allow mine leases to be extended until 2035, told parliament the island was in danger of becoming Struggle Street 2020.
He said the real reason the 2019 date was enacted was because of a preference deal done with the Greens.
A fiery debate started where points of order were called from both sides of the house after remarks from Algester MP Leeanne Enoch, whose father worked in the mine.
“We have had the member for Cleveland around kitchen tables with elders turning them against their own families,” she said.
Her remark was withdrawn.
Mr Robinson also referred deputy premier Jackie Trad to the Ethics Committee claiming she had misled parliament about consulting the island community about the end of mining.
“Unfortunately, the Premier could not find the time to listen to the residents as she committed to do so in the parliament. Instead, she went to Straddie on a holiday,” he said.
“The Deputy Premier held secret and closed meetings with the ETU only. Minister Miles visited the island to go scuba diving and riding in boats.”
