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Yep, here is an article from CQ News on then 23rd. Seems like the government is willing to approve project if Bandanna can prove no land degradation.


BANDANNA Energy will have to "prove" they won't degrade the prime agricultural land which sits above the proposed Springsure Creek Project for it to be approved, according to Premier Campbell Newman.

The Central Queensland Regional Plan preached the importance of agricultural and mining coexistence and Mr Newman said it was up to the company to demonstrate it would not compromise the ability to grow crops on the land.

"They are contemplating an underground mine in an area which has very good cropping land," Mr Newman said.

"The onus is on them, they will have to demonstrate that they're not degrading that land and preventing it from producing crops in the way it can today.

"They (Bandanna Energy) are confident, they say they have the science and the technology sorted out and they will be able to do this.

"The government is going to demand that they demonstrate that."

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said any resources project hoping to work in the Golden Triangle area would have the same obligations.

"The regional plan has defined priority agricultural areas," Mr Seeney said.

"We will be very strong in our commitment to protect the prime agricultural lands of Queensland and the regional plans that were presented last week for both the central Queensland and the Darling Downs are a great step forward in that determination.



"So any resources project, whether it be Bandanna or anybody else that wants to establish in those areas has to ensure that the priority agricultural land use can continue."



Lizzie Bradford, of Arcturus Downs, said the local group of affected farmers booked Community Cabinet meetings with Minister for Environment Andrew Powell, Minister for Mining Andrew Cripps, Minister for Agriculture John McVeigh and Mr Seeney.

"We had a good hearing but, as expected, they were very guarded with their responses," Ms Bradford said.

"But it's great that they came, it's great to have them in the area."