15-07-2025
Fox Resources' bid to develop coal mine on Qld's agricultural land rejected
The Queensland government has rejected an exploratory licence for a coking coal mine in one of the state's biggest food-growing regions.
Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said it was not in the public interest.
"Many significant community concerns were raised about the potential impacts of a future coal mine on the region's agricultural industry, water resources, environmental values, livability and tourism industry," a statement said.
Fox Resources had applied for a mineral development licence (MDL) to explore more than 7,800 hectares of agricultural and residential land about 20 kilometres north of Bundaberg.
Previously, the company's executive director Bruce Garlick said under the application, the company was seeking to drill five bore holes for exploration purposes.
"The company recognises the importance of protecting the region's key agricultural and other industries, with no impact on the aquifer used for local water consumption and agricultural use."
The resources company says the operation would create 200 local jobs and bring "huge economic benefit" to the region if it went ahead.
Farmer Judy Plath said the decision signalled the end of a lengthy process.
The application was made in 2019 and was first rejected by the previous Labor government in 2022.
When that decision was overturned by the Supreme Court in September 2023, Fox Resources reapplied.
The MDL has now been officially rejected.
Ms Plath said residents had been overwhelmed by the thought of losing their homes.
"The fact that a coal mine, an underground coal mine, could have been built in that area and damaged the underground aquifers that those farmers and residents were relying on was very daunting," she said.
"I think this fight demonstrates that prime agricultural land, and the water that it relies on, is worth fighting for and we as a community, as a farming region, should never take it lying down."
Cristel Simmonds from the Coal Free Bundaberg Action Group said it had been an emotional journey.
"It was in an agricultural food bowl, it was so close to the Great Barrier Reef and people's homes … What were the implications going to be for that?"
Member for Bundaberg Stephen Bennett said he believed the decision could not be taken to the courts again.
"This has been through Crown law, extensive review. The advice I understand from the Resources Minister [Dale Last] and the Attorney-General is that this won't be repealed or even put to a land court decision," he said.
Fox Resources has been contacted for comment.
