Thursday, May 31

Mining giant Gina Rinehart's newly approved coal rail line will rip through prime cattle land, farmers warn.

Queensland's coordinator general has given approval for the GVK-Hancock Coal $6.4 million project in Alpha in the state's central west and approval for Hancock Coal's proposed rail line from the mine to Abbot Point.

The 495km railway will cross the Belyando, Suttor and Mistake Creek flood plain, southwest of Mackay.

The state's peak farming group Agforce says it will affect the flow of water and impact on a key cattle grazing region where tens of thousands of cattle feed each year.

"It is some of Queensland's best cattle grazing country where cattle are fattened before being taken to the slaughterhouse," Agforce and local farmer Peter Anderson said.
"It will alter the flow of water, and if water stays too long in one area it will kill the grass, and if it moves too fast it will cause erosion."

He says landholders were not against the project but believe not enough planning has gone into where to best build the railway.

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9 News - Finance

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