THE champagne is on ice but the cork won't be popped just yet. That's the feeling of Orion district farmers Mike and Jackie Wells, Yandina, in reaction to last week's announcement of long-awaited protections for Queensland's strategically important cropping land by Natural Resources Minister Stephen Robertson.
The Wells are one of 30 landholders in the Golden Triangle Community group located between Gindie, Orion and Rolleston in the Central Highlands who joined forces last year establishing a fighting fund and recruiting former Labor State Member for Fitzroy, Jim Pearce, to lobby for protection of their land from mining exploration.
They swung into action after five landholders in the area were issued with a Notification of Entry for the purpose of exploration for coal by Bandanna Energy as part of its potential opencut Arcturus Project.
Indeed, Mrs Wells put her on-farm work aside to become Golden Triangle's voluntary secretary/treasurer, a role that became a full-time task.
"It's been an intense time - when we found out about the new policy framework last week I think it was the best night's sleep I've had in a long time," Mrs Wells said.
"We're all still a little bit cautious but it's a start and at least they are listening."
This week Golden Triangle spokesperson Jim Pearce was also cautiously optimistic about the strategic cropping land (SLC) policy framework document.
"Country in the Golden Triangle certainly falls within the boundaries of the trigger maps showing where quality agricultural land is located," Mr Pearce said.
"It's definitely a step forward and provides farmers with some certainty, but I think landholders still have some concerns.
"About 70pc of country in the Golden Triangle is covered by various mining tenures.
"It's about getting the balance right - you've got to have access for mining companies but you've got to keep that good country for future generations.
"I think mining and exploration companies need to have a good look this new policy framework - the reality is if country looks like good cropping land, then it is good cropping land and needs to be kept that way."
Queensland Country Life approached Bandanna Energy for comment on the new policy framework.
"Bandanna is aware of the process and will participate in the consultation as one of the key stakeholders in the Golden Triangle area," Ray Shaw, managing director of Bandanna Energy said.
"We look forward to a constructive process which will lead to a beneficial outcome for all interested parties."
For Golden Triangle farmers including Mike and Jackie Wells, they're cautious about doing any victory laps until the SCL policy becomes legislation.
"I think we've got a little way to go yet before we have total surety," Mr Wells said.
"We need to wait until it becomes legislation and we know what the exact legislation is and if it's going to cover things like expansion of an existing mine," Mrs Wells said.
As well as dealing with Bandanna Energy, the Wells were stunned to receive a registered letter just two weeks ago from yet another mining company advising they also had an exploration permit for a coal mining tenure (EPC) over their property.
"That blew us out of the water," Mr Wells said.
"Having a mining tenure hanging over your property affects every on-property decision you make."
"If this policy framework does become legislation, I feel the mining companies should have to surrender their EPCs," Mrs Wells said.
"If there's never going to be a chance of it being mined, then an EPC becomes irrelevant."
The Wells credit their local community with taking a united stance and recruiting Jim Pearce in getting their collective voices heard to date.
"We were bewildered and fearful and didn't know what our rights were when Bandanna Energy started drilling in our area, and we wouldn't have known where to start if it wasn't for us getting together and getting Jim's help," Mrs Wells said.
"We started out initially just focusing on Bandanna Energy, but the way it evolved, Jim really was representing anyone with prime agricultural land.
"Some producers say that mining doesn't affect them, but once you get that letter in the mail telling you your land has an EPC over it, or if an open cut mine is built just down the road from you, then it will certainly affect you."
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