Welcome to my first column since the May 2025 Federal election and I thank everyone who contributed to our democratic process, and the electors of Wide Bay for putting your trust in me to continue to represent you in the Australian Parliament.
I also thank the sporting groups and community organisations who put their trust in us for much needed projects that we put forward as election commitments. Throughout the next term of Parliament, I will keep up the fight and advocate for assistance to help them and other groups who need some support to build facilities for their members, players, and the community.
I am aware that hinterland residents are awaiting an outcome on the application under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) for the clearing of a further eight hectares of remnant vegetation at the Kin Kin Quarry.
Cordwell Resources as the quarry operators made the application to Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in 2023, and in 2024 the Department made the request for further information to allow the Minister to make an informed decision on the project.
The EPBC Act Public Portal still lists the project status as awaiting additional information from the applicant Cordwell Resources.
I wrote to the then Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek in 2023 to express my concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed clearing and the importance of maintaining the remnant vegetation which has been identified as core critical habitat for koalas, grey-headed flying foxes, and greater gliders.
After the recent election there has been changes to the Ministry and Senator Murray Watt has replaced Tany Plibersek as Minister for the Environment and Water.
I have written to Senator Watt in relation to the Kin Kin Quarry proposal to ensure that he is aware of the importance of preserving this piece of critical local habitat, and I encourage concerned locals to contact Senator Watt to express their objections to the land clearing proposal.
You can read the details of the quarry’s EPBC application at epbcpublicportal.environment.gov.au and Senator Watt can be contacted at minister.watt@dcceew.gov.au
While my office in Maryborough is aways available to help, next week I will again be taking my mobile office through Wide Bay, visiting Pomona, Cooroy, Tewantin, and Peregian Beach to meet with people in their own communities to listen and act on their concerns about matters controlled by the Australian Government.
If you need some assistance or would like an appointment please contact my office on 4121 2936, or visit my website llewobrien.com.au or email llew.obrien.mp@aph.gov.au
