Release of potentially toxic water from mines

Media Release

The LNP Government has shown a complete disregard for regional Queensland and the environment, sneaking in new legislation allowing for the mass release of potentially toxic water from mines, says Shadow Environment Minister Jackie Trad.

“The Newman Government must come clean about its dirty plan to release dirty water from mines into catchments serving regional communities,” Ms Trad said.

She said the government was on the verge of releasing tens of thousands of litres of toxic water into the Rockhampton region’s waterways from mines still holding flood waters.

“The changes introduced on Thursday by Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney are contained in the Economic Development Bill 2012 and allow contaminated water to be released with just a phone call,” Ms Trad said.

“Under the Seeney law a mine company will be able to ring the government seeking to release water and the government must say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ within 24 hours.

“The new law means water can be released during an emergency such as a flood but it also imposes no time limit, so long after such an emergency, water can still be released without the checks and balances normally required.

“It takes away the critical need to protect our environment and protect our water supplies and that should make the people of Central Queensland and Rockhampton very nervous.

“I also question if the government has the qualified staff capable of properly assessing the need for and impact of any releases given the number of people it is sacking.

“Last Thursday in Question Time the Premier, Deputy Premier and the Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection closed ranks and failed to provide full answers to specific Opposition questions — each obfuscating over who was talking to whom and what was being released where.

“Then, less than an hour after they refused to detail how much water they were about to release from mines and who was cutting a secret deal with which mining company, they foisted this new legislation upon Queensland communities.

“What we know is there has been speculation that a deal has been done with the mining industry to allow water releases as a trade-off for royalty hikes in the State Budget. The government has also established a secretive cabinet sub-committee on resources which has been charged with aggressively and ruthlessly slashing regulations.

“Now what we find out is even before the committee has finished its investigation, the Government is already considering releasing toxic water into the Fitzroy River Basin.”

Ms Trad said the release of mine water posed major environmental risks to the Fitzroy River Basin and some of the state’s most vulnerable ecosystems.

“This may also lead to highly toxic water being released into Rockhampton’s water supply. This Government freely admits that it meets with mining companies on a regular basis, but has so far refused to consult with Queenslanders and explain what impact these decisions will have on local communities.”