Council draws line in the sand over coal and coal seam gas

Noosa Council has sent a clear message to the State Government that any future applications or permits for coal and/or coal seam gas would not be supported.

Council last Thursday unanimously endorsed a policy position statement on coal mining, coal exploration and coal seam gas extraction that reads:

‘Noosa Council does not support any further applications for permits for coal exploration, coal mining, coal seam gas exploration or coal seam gas production within the Shire based on Council’s significant concerns regarding associated environmental and social impacts and the incompatibility of such activities with Noosa’s natural assets and lifestyle.’

“Noosa Council has a long and proud history of environmental protection, so this position is absolutely consistent with our approach to land management,” Mayor Tony Wellington said.

"There are two coal mining exploration licenses that encroach into the northern end of the Noosa Shire. They are largely contained within the Gympie region, and were granted prior to de-amalgamation. These permits are for exploration only and not production. Both expire in November 2018.

“We are ensuring that we have a documented policy position while there is a possibility that future applications could be made,” said Mayor Wellington.

"This position is in-keeping with the stance taken by the Cooran Earth Rights community group. They carried out a survey in the Cooran area which found 98 per cent of residents surveyed were opposed to coal and coal seam gas activities in the Shire.

“Noosa is a designated ‘Priority Living Area’ which means that these sorts of mining activities are generally restricted under the State’s Regional Planning Interests Act," said Mayor Wellington.

"But Council is not the head-of-power in decision-making about these extractive industries. So we need to send a clear message to the State that coal and coal seam gas extraction are incompatible with our beautiful hinterland, particularly its rural lifestyle opportunities, agricultural use and scenic amenity."

26 June 2018