DESPITE the defeat of the bill introduced in NSW Parliament last week aimed to protect high quality farmland from the effects of mining, farmers in the Gloucester and Hunter regions have vowed to continue the fight.
Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon introduced the bill to stop mining and mining exploration on prime agriculture land in NSW, including land under threat from coal mining in the Gloucester Valley.
Gloucester farmers joined by their Liverpool Plains counterparts rallied outside State Parliament to demonstrate while the upper house debated the Mining Amendment (Safeguarding Agricultural Land and Water) Bill.
Ms Rhiannon said Gloucester’s rich alluvial flats and soil profile should be recognised as a precious food bowl that should not be threatened by coal mining applications from Gloucester Resources Limited. The bill was introduced to prohibit new mining developments and mining exploration on land defined as prime agricultural land. It was also intended to ban mining and mining exploration within one kilometre of the rivers and aquifers that feed prime agricultural land.
Ms Rhiannon said the bill was also intended to put the brakes on companies such as Gloucester Resources Limited from buying up properties to pave the way for mining. She added that the bill is needed because successive governments had “sided” with the minerals industry at the expense of local farming communities, rivers and underground water resources. The bill was introduced by the Greens and supported by the Opposition after the State National Party and NSW Farmers Association threw their weight behind it.
The bill was defeated by one vote and when Reverend Fred Nile indicated how he would vote, people in the gallery chanted “shame, shame.”
Minister for Mineral Resources, Energy and Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald said there were already enough environmental safeguards in place and said any future mining proposal must obtain approval under the state’s comprehensive and rigorous planning legislation.
The Gloucester Residents in partnership (GRIP) has accused the minister of being intent on mining prime agricultural land right up to the township of Gloucester and it says Premier Nathan Rees does nothing to stop the coal exploration company from buying up prime agricultural land surrounding Gloucester. The group claims that in Gloucester the most precious of resources is abundant and that water feeds the Manning Valley.
Mining operations in the Gloucester Valley have the potential to impact surrounding catchments, including the Manning Valley, Myall Lakes and Port Stephens.
MidCoast Water is represented on the consultative committee with mining interests in the area. General Manager Neil Hannington said MidCoast Water has notified the minister’s office of their interest and is actively keeping a close eye on the matter.
NSW Farmers’ Association President Jock Laurie says the fact that the bill was defeated by just one vote following extensive discussions indicates the level of concern in the community about the impacts of mining on agricultural production and water resources.
“It is clear there was strong support for it among the members of parliament,” he said.
“This has put the issue firmly on the agenda, and we will continue to work with these members to ensure it remains top of mind.
“This bill was not just about protecting prime agricultural land, but also about the greater issues of food security and the interaction between agricultural land, water resources and mining activity.
“It’s crucial for the future of farming we get the balance right.
“The time has come for government to acknowledge the impacts of mining on agriculture and to provide legislation that ensures the sustainability of our most productive farming lands,” Mr Laurie said.
“We need to ensure that the voice of agriculture is heard. Prime agricultural land and its water resources must be retained and the nation’s agricultural resources safeguarded.
Mr Laurie congratulated the Caroona Coal Action Group and Liverpool Plains and Gloucester farmers who delivered a very strong message .
“These farmers will not give up the fight - and neither will we,” Mr Laurie added.
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