LITTLE SHIP CLUB July 2016 eNews

SOURCE: http://www.redlandcitybulletin.com.au/story/3442793/2019-mine-end-set-in-stone/

2019 mine end set in stone: Trad • Report date: 23rd October 2015 • Reporter: Judith Kerr | Redland City Bulletin • Images: Redland City Bulletin

The 2019 date to end mining on North Stradbroke Island was “non-negotiable” and “set in stone”.

There are only three more parliamentary sittings this year, making it a tight schedule for Environment Minister Steven Miles to fulfil his promise of introducing the legisla- tion to end mine leases this year. At Thursday’s ETU meeting at the Little ShipClub at Dunwich,MsTrad immediately crushed speculation the premier was considering extending the 2019 deadline. She said the meeting, which was closed to the public, was to discuss plans for the island after mining and was not about extending the life of the mine.

his members were unsuccessful in getting the deputy premier to extend mining on the island past 2019. However, he said a committee of Sibelco staff would be established this month to liaise with the government about the end of mining on the island and amending legislation. “Delegates were thankful to have had the chance to speak frankly with Ms Trad and explain their concerns about the 2019 deadline,” he said. “It wasn’t the outcome we were looking for but the meeting was successful because we decided to set up a committee to talk with government.” More than 20 island residents, business- owners and non-union members, were locked out of the meeting, held at the Little Ship Club at Dunwich.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad speaks with Straddie residents as mine workers get ready to board the ferry.

That was the message 30 Electrical Trades Union members from Sibelco mines were told when deputy premier Jackie Trad met them on the island on Thursday. Her comments came a day after premier Annastacia Palaszczuk met with Australian Workers Union members from Sibelco and told them it would be necesasary [sic] to conduct more public consultation.

Ms Trad said Labor’s commitment to the 2019 closure date was based on honouring the Indigenous Land Use Agreement signed with the native title holders in 2011. She said the only way the date would change to allow an extension of mining after 2019 was for the native title holders to renegotiate. After the meeting, Electrical Trades Union state organiser Garry Rogers, said Deputy Premier Jackie Trad speaks to the ETU members behind closed doors at Straddie’s Little Ship Club Much of this material is freely available in the public domain or may be found with a little diligent searching; online sources have been referenced so that readers may follow-up with their own investigations as desired, and permissions for the use of selected materials are as noted. The words, images and links which follow are formatted in LSC’s eNews ‘house style’ but are otherwise shown largely ‘as is’ in their original contexts. Any opinions expressed in the content of this special supplement are those of their respective authors, commentators and cited sources and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Little Ship Club (Queensland Squadron), its Board and Flag Officers, nor its membership.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and ETU state organiser Garry Rogers arrive at yesterday’s meeting to discuss the end of mining with miners

Residents locked out of the ETU meeting said they wanted answers about the date mining would end.

Straddie faces an uncertain future and the Bay is confronted by challenges on all sides. We could perhaps take heart from the words of the late. great Joshua Peter Bell who wrote, in the 1975 edition of his seminal books, Moreton Bay and how to fathom it ~ “One could go on and on anticipating the worst. Most of it will probably eventuate, so let us continue to enjoy the Moreton Bay we know. We will enjoy it come what may: but it is just conceivable that this may be easier now than later on. ”

LSC EDITORIAL NOTE This special supplement to the July 2016 edition of the Little Ship Club eNews was prepared for many of our Members and eNews readers who may lack ready access to the vast world of information online and in digital media. These pages are a digest of news and information about a wide range of projects and happenings which will affect not only Straddie, but the life of our Club – and the lives of all who enjoy boating, fishing and sailing on beautiful Moreton Bay. In these pages, compiled during 2015 and 2016, you will find both controversy and grand plans, as well as community concerns and large-scale commerce.

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July 2016 eNews SPECIAL

Supplement: Facing the future of Straddie