QUEENSLAND'S Farm and Industrial Machinery Dealers - a division of the State's Motor Trades Association - have entered the mining versus agriculture debate, flagging their unease about the proliferation of mining development licences (MDLs) and managed investment schemes (MISs) currently pervading Queensland.
In a letter to the Bligh Government, they say the MDLs are "paralysing economic certainty, investment decisions and business planning" across the Darling Downs, Bundaberg, Burdekin and Central Queensland's Nogoa floodplain.
Farm and Industrial Machinery Dealers' Division (FIMDD) chairman David Fraser makes the point his members are "the first cab off the rank" as far as weathering the adverse impacts from any diminution of prime farmland noted for its exceptional productivity.
This is a reference to the 3.5 percent of Queensland's vast land mass which is deemed suitable for arable cropping - an area now seen as being increasingly under threat from the mining sector.
"As soon as those farms are gone, we don't sell machinery, and we employ a lot of people who, accordingly, will have their livelihoods affected," he said.
The FIMDD lobby group believes that affected districts will see future investment and capital initiatives threatened, as well as the possibility of sponsorship withdrawals from farm shows, local events and sporting fixtures. Inevitably, it says this would lead to community destabilisation and social stress.
"The importance of mining to the Queensland economy and the State's budget is acknowledged, but it should be equally recognised that the agriculture sector makes a strong contribution," Mr Fraser wrote to the Queensland Government.
The FIMDD echoed recent concerns expressed by church leaders that the State's, as well as the nation's food security was increasingly being placed at risk by the mining industry.
Meanwhile, important diary dates have been flagged by the Haystack Road Coal Committee, which is fighting to stop the district surrounding Warra from being unnecessarily mined.
Its chairman, noted farming identity Jeff Bidstrup, says a 4pm meeting scheduled for next Tuesday, August 11, at the Warra Hall, will principally look at reforming the Haystack Road Coal Committee.
The move stems from advice from the Brigalow Jimbour Floodplain Group (BJFPG) that it cannot operate as an overarching body for the spate of groups being formed to try and prevent mining on prime farmland. This decision follows the mining exploration push into Jimbour Plain, and a new BJFG project officer appointment against a backdrop of reduced funding.
"We will need to reform our group, so it will be an opportune time to look at how we operate and make any changes, and appoint new officers," Mr Bidstrup said. "I would like to see a revamp and possible extension of the committee to recognise those who have been active, and supportive, and particularly to include more of the younger generation."
Shortly, the focus of attention will switch to the 2009 Surat Basin Conference later this month.
To be staged at Dalby on August 19, 20 and 21, with involvement from lobby group FutureFoodQld, Mr Bidstrup is hoping for "a good attendance" in highlighting the need for both food production and mining to prosper.
Interestingly, Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe has responded to a FFQ request to visit Haystack Road soon, although a date has yet to be set.
District concerns have also seen Jimbour farmers start an action group following New Hope beginning exploratory drilling in the district the day after the Queensland State election.
They say the company has yet to determine whether there is a mineable resource in the area, hoping this is not the case.
Mr Bidstrup says the announcement of the Cameby Downs mine "has ramifications" for those closely following the mining versus agriculture debate.
"It means less room on rail for grain, and less room on existing rail for another mine (Haystack)," he said.
He believes the intention probably is "to push coal out" through the missing link line from Wandoan to Banana, apparently now delayed until guarantees of an extra 30 million tonnes of demand can be met.
"Tarong, and any suitor, would be eying this development closely," he said.
"This will probably be our next test."
Meanwhile, AgForce vice-president Ian Burnett, plus senior policy adviser Drew Wagner, recently visited another embattled farming community, Friends of Felton, to hear their concerns about proposed coal mining developments.
They continue to oppose Ambre Energy's so-called Felton 'Clean Coal' Project, which is the subject of a mining lease application, with the company currently preparing an EIS for the project.
Friends of Felton spokesman Rob McCreath makes the point that the Felton is shaping up as a "test case", being one of the furthest advanced projects threatening prime agricultural land since millions of tonnes of coal will be needed to supply an on-site petro-chemical plant.
Friends of Felton holds grave fears over the environmental impacts resulting from open-cut mining next to Hodgson Creek, a major tributary of the Condamine River.
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