From todays regional QLD press.HE'S a mayor with no experience...

From todays regional QLD press.

HE'S a mayor with no experience as a farmer or a miner, but Peter Maguire reckons it's time Golden Triangle farmers buried the hatchet with their nemesis, Bandanna Energy.

The Central Highlands civic leader weighed into the argument over the future impacts of the $1 billion underground mine on strategic cropping land, with the State Government's verdict expected within weeks.

A decision to approve the mine would deliver a much-needed economic and confidence boost for Emerald and Springsure businesses suffering in the current resources downturn, Cr Maguire said.

"I think anything approved in the resources sector would have a positive impact," he said.

"I know there are people in the agricultural sector not happy about the whole Bandanna situation, but the State Government keeps talking about co-existence, and I think that needs to happen.

"I understand you can't have all that happening at the expense of strategic cropping land, but if there is a way to maintain that as well as get the resources out of the ground, you can hope that can happen."

Cr Maguire said he valued the contribution of both industries to the Central Highlands economy, as well as the state and federal government coffers.

But he urged the parties to try to find "middle ground" and broker better relations for the future - whatever the outcome.

The Central Highlands council plays no part in the decision-making process.

"For me, this is not a matter of taking sides," Cr Maguire said.

"It may sound too simplistic when you're talking about people's livelihoods, but you have to work out something that is good for everyone."