Blog is Closing
Please be aware that this Blog will be closing on the 8 th February 2013 – please advise friends and supporters that they can continue to follow the progress of these important issues of coal ports not in Keppel Bay and Fitzroy Delta by clicking the link to ProtectKeppelBay to the right of this post – a new blog will be linked to this website in the following weeks.
Its not over yet - your bay! – your delta! – protect it!
Do You Want To Help Save The Delta? : Then Follow The Link
The struggle to save the Fitzroy Delta and Keppel Bay and ultimately the health of the Great Barrier Reef continues – currently the Fitzroy Terminal Project (FTP) and the Xstrata Balaclava Island Coal Export Terminal (BICET) are poised to release their EIS for huge development of the Fitzroy River Delta that could spell the end of a unique population of Australian Snubfin dolphin that are only found in the Delta and at risk from removal of important habitat through dredging to get the coal ships and barges into the Delta to service the proposed coal ports. It’s not just the dolphins that will be effected.
If you would like to send your thoughts to the politicians and help make a difference then follow the link and send a message!
http://protectkeppelbay.good.do/deltabayreef/email-tony-burke-campbell-newman-anthony-albanese/
Protect Keppel Bay on Hoopla
PROTECT KEPPEL BAY
UNESCO SLAMS OZ – are our Governments listening?
One day after the UNESCO report criticizes the Australian Governments over their coal-black road to destruction of the Great Barrier Reef the following responses appear to be ……………well lets just say they have played the “hands are tied’ card by the Feds and the state has resorted to the “economic priority” card caus’ Campbell can do.
Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke said there was not much he could do to prevent development applications already in progress.
“I can’t take away the rights at law that applicants have when they’ve already started their approval process,” he told reporters in Sydney.
and from Can Do:
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman said his government was aware of the issues raised in the report but could not accommodate some of its chief recommendations.
“We will protect the environment but we are not going to see the economic future of Queensland shut down,” Mr Newman said.
Petty spirited words from CanDo – the little man from Tasmania has a lot of spunk – lets see how it pans out over the next couple of weeks.
If you are worried by the above comments as KAFDA is then don’t stop voicing your opinion – write to your politicians in particular Mr. Tony Bourke because he does have the power to stop this race for greed at the expense of the Fitzroy Delta and Keppel bay. He has been given the mandate by the international community (UNESCO) to do something about Gladstone and the risks to the Great Barrier Reef. He just has to have the guts to do it.
Remember it’s YOUR REEF – OUR KEPPEL BAY – OUR GOVERNMENT
Page 22 of the UNESCO Report below gives the draft decision:
Well done Leo – Xstrata have been telling the community over the past 18 months that categorically there will only be 6 million cubic metres dredged at the mouth of the Fitzroy even when asked about other developments. Hello…… now it is 12 million cubic metres (remember Gladstone has only dredged less than 6 of the proposed ……well we have been told 43 million cubic metres or was that 24 million or is it closer to 55 million …..whats a couple of million cubic metres difference anyway? you still see the ecosystem disappear) and what problems will this cause? What about that document that mentions 15 million cubic metres dredge in the Fitzroy Delta (Port Alma area)?mmmmmmmm………..might get the truth one day.
If you are confused and indifferent to the information being given by the proponents and supporting development decision makers then there is a solution – write to your state and federal politicians and let them know what you think – you don’t have long though because the UNESCO report is due and once the EIS’s for the developments are released it may be game over?
Your Keppel Bay – Your Delta – Our Great Barrier Reef
If you live in Brisbane or Melbourne don’t miss your opportunity to get informed about proposed coal ports in the southern Great Barrier Reef. Presented by a KAFDA representative – see the attached flyers for dates and locations – remember you can have a say in how our Great Barrier Reef is managed into the future.
Our Keppel Bay – Our Fitzroy Delta - Your Great Barrier Reef
Wednesday, 25 April 2012 Media Release
and Fitzroy Delta Alliance in Rockhampton on Tuesday evening. As well as the
candidates at the meeting, a further 11 candidates provided written statements regarding
their position on the contentious issue of coal ports in Keppel Bay.
KAFDA spokesperson, Ms Ginny Gerlach said the proposed coal ports posed the single
biggest environmental threat to the Fitzroy River Delta, Keppel Bay and the Great Barrier
Reef that Central Queenslanders are likely to see in their lifetime and that it was critical
that the new Rockhampton Regional Council understood the issues and impacts and
supported the community in its campaign to stop the development before it starts.
“The audience applauded loudly those candidates who passionately pledged their
support for the campaign to stop the coal ports,” Ms Gerlach said.
“KAFDA was heartened to hear virtually 100% support for the campaign from candidates
in attendance and in the written statements from those not able to attend in person,” Ms
Gerlach said.
Ms Gerlach said local authorities are elected by constituents with the expectation that
they will diligently represent the community’s best interests. She explained that the raft of
serious negative impacts and effects on Central Queensland communities posed by the
proposed port developments, were in total conflict with why so many people chose to live
and work in this area.
“Many of the candidates expressed the desire to limit coal export to the existing
Gladstone, facilities and under no circumstances allow new port development in the
Fitzroy River Delta and Keppel Bay,” Ms Gerlach reported. “This is consistent with
KAFDA’s position of consolidation and optimisation of existing coal ports, so to hear
potential elected members publicly supporting this view is heartening,” she said.
Ms Gerlach said KAFDA would post all statements and responses from the candidates
on the KAFDA website (www.protectkeppelbay.org) and encouraged the voters of
Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast to visit the site before Saturday’s election and
use the information there to inform their vote.
- Questions that the candidates were asked on the night: RRC 2012 questions for candidates
- Candidates statements – summary of meeting responses and statements provided by candidates prior to the meeting: RRC 2012 COUNCIL CANDIDATES STATEMENTS
- Summary of the community feedback from the meeting: RRC Summary of feedback
