Clean Air Queensland, Griffith by election candidate survey results.
Broad political support for a coal dust free Brisbane.
Media Release 4.2.2014.
Clean Air Queensland have released the result s of a candidate survey which asked candidates running in the Griffith by-election their views on mitigating the health impacts of coal dust in residential communities.
In Queensland coal train wagons and coal stockpiles do not have to be covered when near or passing through residential communities. More than 9 million tonnes of uncovered coal is currently transported in open train wagons through Toowoomba, Ipswich & 21 Brisbane suburbs including suburbs in the electorate of Griffith.
Clean Air Queensland community organiser Michael Kane expressed his appreciation of the positive responses from both major parties and the majority of minority parties on the coal dust issue.
Of the 11 candidates running in the Griffith By-election seven candidates responded to the survey with all seven candidates supporting covering coal trains and best practice dust mitigation policies.
Candidates from Labor, LNP, Greens, Katter’s Australian Party, Secular Party, Stable Population and The Pirate Party all responded positively to the 4 policy positions posed by the candidate survey.
Candidates were asked if they agreed with putting lids on coal wagons, best practice dust mitigation for mines and stockpiles, health impacts studies before approval or expansion of new coal mines and a limit on the number of coal trains passing through residential areas.
All of the responding political parties agreed with the 4 policy positions without exception.
Mr Kane said that removing the health risk of coal dust in residential areas had broad political and community support and though some candidates gave more detailed responses than others all of the candidates who responded were concerned about the health impacts of coal dust on the community.
Mr Kane said that coal dust is a carcinogen and can cause heart and respiratory diseases. Best practice dust mitigation for trains, mines and stockpiles will help to ensure that people are safe from what is often an invisible pollution.
“It’s time we stopped talking about this issue and got the job done, governments have been aware of the health impacts of coal dust for a long time”. Said Mr Kane..
Mr Kane said there were multiple health concerns in SE Queensland from coal dust pollution including the uncovered coal stockpile next to Jondaryan and the Port of Brisbane and uncovered coal wagons travelling through Jondaryan, Toowoomba, Ipswich and 21 suburbs of Brisbane.
For more information please contact.
Michael Kane
Clean Air Queensland
Community Organiser
0438 766 230
[email protected]
www.cleanairqueensland.org
https://www.facebook.com/cleanairqld
Be the first to comment