Unprecedented expansion of coal exploration and development across the state has prompted an innovative investigation of the social, economic and environmental effects of the coal industry on the lives of everyday Queenslanders, by everyday Queenslanders.
The Brisbane-based community group Six Degrees will launch the Coal Communities Tour on 17th November in Gladstone, and will travel around the state to listen to and document the issues and concerns of local communities affected by the expansion of the coal industry.
According to the tour spokesperson, Bradley Smith, what makes this tour unique is that it is all about listening.
“Decisions about the coal industry in Queensland are made in distant boardrooms and in bureaucrats’ offices, and often without taking into account how the lives and livelihoods of the people in these communities will be affected,” said Mr Smith.
“Through listening to the concerns of people in these regions, we want to make sure that their interests are included in a meaningful way in decisions about the future of coal in this state.”
Participants in the Coal Communities Tour are made up of researchers and students from Griffith University and The University of Queensland as well as community organisers from Six Degrees. The participants initiated the listening tour to bridge the gap between communities, government, business and climate campaigners by listening to and documenting the concerns of community stakeholders, without judgment or debate.
The two-week tour will travel through Gladstone, Emerald, Blackwater, Alpha, Wandoan and Chinchilla, all areas which are currently experiencing the impacts of coal expansion. In each location, “Listening Posts” will be set up in a variety of public spaces, where local residents will be able to share their views, concerns and ideas with trained volunteers.
The community responses will be published as a series of reports and made freely available to participants, community groups and local residents, as well as formally submitted to the state and local governments, coal companies and research organisations working in the coal regions of Queensland.
As Bradley Smith puts it, “In making this information widely available, we hope that these reports will provide a way for decision-makers to get a better understanding of how coal affects people’s lives. But it is more than that. It is really about providing people with a way of participating and having a genuine say about how corporate and government decisions affect their futures.”
Media spokesperson: Bradley Smith 0413280006, bradley.r.smith@gmail.com
Media liaison: Eleanor Smith 0431293279
