Rockhampton Right To Question Mine Water Release

Media Release.

The LNP government’s plan to push ahead and release untreated water from Central Queensland mines into the region’s waterways should be vigorously questioned by local residents who are right to be concerned.

Rockhampton MP Bill Byrne said Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney’s arrogant handling of the water release left Central Queensland residents with scant information about what was in their water supplies and was typical of the environmentally irresponsible Newman government.

“Let’s be perfectly clear – the way the government has gone about this entire process has been arrogant in the extreme,” Mr Byrne said.

“This is a government that does not believe in the important science of phenomena like climate change and all of a sudden expects us to believe that it has had a big change of heart and now believes in the science of releasing mine discharge."

“Just like the people of Rockhampton and surrounding communities, I question if this move would be permitted anywhere else without a significant public outcry."

“Would the government be so quick to pull the trigger if it was releasing this water into Wivenhoe Dam for instance?"

“You can be assured they would be thinking twice. In the last flood episode in Brisbane this government was extremely concerned about releasing water in the metropolitan area that was merely muddy – now they want the people of Rockhampton to accept untreated mine water."

“This water should be treated on site by the mining companies before it is allowed to be flushed into our waterways."

“The government has a responsibility to establish that policy, monitor that policy and ensure that policy is being followed, including frequent public reporting on water quality."

“Mr Seeney has every right to oppose that view and accuse anybody who doesn’t agree with him of scaremongering."

“But the simple fact is that the people of Central Queensland have every right to be apprehensive about what is being released into their waterways and their water supplies."

“They are right to question this decision."

“And I challenge Mr Seeney and the government – in their apparent confidence that this is a safe move – to give a guarantee that the water is indeed safe.”