Miners welcome shift on floodwater
THE peak industry body for the minerals and energy sector in Queensland has welcomed the State Government's proposal for the management of salinity arising from flood events affecting coal mines in the Fitzroy River catchment.
The Government will investigate the feasibility of establishing a salinity trading system for the Fitzroy Basin.
Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche said he was pleased to see the Newman government taking a scientific approach to the issue of water releases from mines during extraordinary weather events such as that seen in the 2011 wet season.
"The Bligh government's mismanagement of the 2011 emergency cost Queensland $9 billion in coal exports and approximately $750 million in royalties that would have gone to pay for public servants and government services," said Mr Roche.
"The feasibility study announced today comes on top of new legislation for managing water in flood emergencies, which was a key recommendation of the Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry."
