Please join us for a public meeting to discuss steps towards building accountability from the operators of the quarry at Kin Kin.
Unsustainable mining operations have forced local services such as the school, local roads and police, to divert limited local resources to monitor the activities of a private, for-profit company. The local council has fined this corporation, but the fines have gone unpaid. The council and local residents have even taken them to court. And local representatives have been working to bring a measure of accountability to the operations of the mine -- to no avail.
The materials being quarried in Kin Kin are used to build the extension to the Bruce Highway that stands to damage Djaki Kundu, a sacred site of the Kabi nation.
This mining operation is harmful to local communities and is not sustainable. It is clearly not in line with community expectations, and it must come to an end.
The area affected by the dangerous haulage route is a large area including the townships of Pomona, Cooroy, Pinbarren, Cooran, and Kin Kin. Noise and air pollution from quarry vehicles have damaged local businesses and the accessibility of local facilities. In addition to the economic issues, community health and safety is suffering. Many have reported that significant noise and vibration are impacting the mental health of residents, with shift workers and young families particularly impacted. Older residents have reported no longer feeling safe attempting to purchase their food and medical supplies due to the frequency of the trucks.
The social problems imposed on the local community by quarrying at Kin Kin is a legacy of poor regulation -- but the ongoing problem is worsened by lack of political will on the part of the State Government.
It is disturbing that the Queensland Government is unable to enforce new regulations or alter the residual agreement made with the commercial quarry in 1987, meaning current planning laws and environmental protections do not apply. Cordwell Concrete is not required to contribute to regular repairs and maintenance of their haulage route, passing that cost to taxpayers. They have also been able to undercut the other quarries in the area, servicing contracts that bypass closer, more suitable quarries.
This public meeting will be an opportunity to hear directly from the community and to discuss next steps, such as undertaking an impact assessment and an evaluation of costs incurred in relation to the quarry’s operation and the maintenance of roads.
56 Main Street
KIN KIN QLD 4571