The application by the Kin Kin Quarry operator Cordwell Resources under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act for further clearing at the Sheppersons Lane site is still listed on the Department’s portal as “Awaiting Additional Information”.
This means that Tania Plibersek, the Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment and Water Minister and her department have requested further details from the quarry operator before they make their decision about the future of the proposal.
I wrote to the Minister in September 2023 expressing my opposition to further land clearing on the site, and my concerns about the impacts of the quarry expansion proposal on the local environment and the regional community remain.
Further clearing of the quarry site will have an irreversible impact on what has been identified as critical habitat for the koala, the Gey-Headed Flying Fox, the Greater Glider, and other ecologically significant flora and fauna.
In 1987, the quarry operator was given approval to extract and screen up to 1 million tonnes of material annually from the site.
With the need for safer roads and construction materials the demand for quarry products is expected to continue. However, I am opposed to the destruction of places of critical habitat, and I am concerned about the additional haulage traffic the quarry expansion will generate, and the effect this will have on the safety and amenity of the Kin Kin community.
I encourage everyone who opposes the expansion of the quarry to write to the Minister to express their concerns. Minister Plibersek can be contacted at minister.plibersek@dcceew.gov.au
Both Telstra and Optus have announced that they will be delaying their shutdown of the 3G network while they conduct a public safety awareness campaign to make all Australians aware of the actions they will need to take before the 3G network is turned off.
The freeing up of 3G spectrum for use in other productive telecommunications uses is an important reform, which was first announced five years ago. Telstra had intended to shut down their 3G network at the end of August 2024, with Optus to follow in September 2024.
3G will now be operational until 28 October 2024, so Wide Bay residents should check that their devices are compatible with the 4G network, especially to ensure they are still able to call emergency services. It is also important for users of connected devices like medical monitors, IoT sensors, EFTPOS and antennas to check whether they rely on the 3G network by contacting the manufacturer or supplier.
Telstra has released a 3G SMS Checker Tool which will provide advice about whether devices need to be upgraded to be able to access the 4G and 5G networks.
The Checker Tool can be accessed via SMS by texting the number ‘3’ to number ‘3498’ or ‘3GXT’ which corresponds to the letters on your phone’s dialling keypad, to receive almost instant advice on your device. Further information about the 3G closure is available at telstra.com/3Gclosure
