Fox Resources has described Attorney General Deb Frecklington’s decision to reject the proposed MDL 3040 mine as “disappointing”.
Issuing a statement yesterday, the company’s executive chairman, Bruce Garlick, insisted the project will not affect agriculture and water supply.
“We have actively engaged with the Bundaberg and Wide Bay community, including through the Bundaberg Regional Reference Group,” Mr Garlick said.
“(We) provided evidence there will be no impacts on local agriculture or water users from our activities.”
The company also cited the project’s impact on the local job market.
“The Wide Bay region has one of the highest unemployment rates in Queensland,” Mr Garlick said.
“New projects such as Fox Resources’ are urgently needed to create new jobs and investment, and we
are disappointed that Bundaberg will be denied this opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Bundaberg’s mayor, Helen Blackburn, has supported the Attorney General’s decision to block the mine’s application.
“We are absolutely delighted with this decision,” Ms Blackburn said.
“It’s great for our community to have some certainty moving forward – and for our agriculture industry to understand that they have security over the land to be able to continue with their activities.”
