Stop Wongai Coal Mine near Charlotte Bay, Cape York
Please contact Minister Burke, Federal Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, PO Box 6022,House of Representatives,Parliament House,Canberra ACT 2600, ph (02) 6277 7640, fax: (02) 6273 6101, email: Tony.Burke.MP@aph.gov.au and tell him you oppose the underground coal mine proposed for Wongai, 150km NW of Cooktown on Cape York. 
(Quote Reference:Aust-Pac Capital/Mining/150 km NW of Cooktown, QLD/QLD/Wongai Underground Coal Mine Project, Qld, EPBC Reference Number 2011/6092.)
Feel free to use the following points:
It is highly likely that if the mining project proceeds, it will
- cause grave damage to the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef Marine Park,
- impact negatively on both endangered and migratory species listed under the EPBC act,
- carve up Kalpower Nature Refuge
- have a detrimental socio-economic effect on the local population.
Given the multiplicity of current threats to the Great Barrier Reef, which collectively have become so grave they are now attracting international concern including the attention of UNESCO itself,we believe this proposal must not be approved.
The northern areas of the Reef represent the last relatively undisturbed parts of this World Heritage ecosystem. Approval of such a risky project north of Cooktown would be tantamount to banging the final nail in the coffin.
Threat to Great Barrier Reef 
The concept plan shows this proposal to be within Kalpowar Nature Refuge and to require the building of a conveyor and loading facility that would be visible from the Great Barrier Reef.
The proposed barge route would then run through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) / World Heritage Area. Any shipping accidents, with the potential for toxic spillage, would pollute currently pristine waters and damage the Great Barrier Reef.
We also consider the development highly likely to impact on water quality as it involves changes to flow and hydrology of wetlands and associated waterways. This is likely to impact negatively on the fishing industry as well as non-commerical wildlife values.
Negative Impact on Marine Life
Loggerhead turtle
Development is likely to impact on a variety of highly significant biota, including but not limited to:
- the endangered Loggerhead Turtle,
- the Vulnerable Green Turtle,
- five additional threatened species of turtle,
- two threatened species of whale
- the dugong,( a listed Marine and Migratory species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999)
We have already noted potential damage to the existing fishing industry in the northern Coral Sea, which is already under considerable stress. We note in addition that ports and shipping impacts on dugongs are listed as HIGH in the GBRMP Outlook Report 2009.
Socio-economic impacts
We have concerns that, as has been the case in other areas of the world where fossil fuels have been mined, both short and long term socio economic impacts on the local populations may actually prove to be negative. Pollution and industrial accidents can impact negatively on local health. Few well paid mining jobs are likely to be filled by the local population, with most of the mining staff flown in. We note that there are already reports of opposition from some of the traditional owners such as Muundhiwarra clan elder Bernie Hart.
Crucially, we believe that it is time for the Labor government to demonstrate the political courage to facilitate renewable energy projects and, in the interests of mitigating the worst impacts of climate change, to halt all new fossil fuel mining projects. In areas such as this of exceptionally high biodiversity, coal mining projects such as these should not even be contemplated.
Thank you for your help!
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