Will Proserpine Boom From Shale Oil?

[Gazza]

I'd love to hear some thoughts on the Shale Oil saga in the Whitsundays that has been going on for some time.

The Queensland Government said that the project could be worth $14 billion and increase Proserpines population by 16000.

Will Proserpine be the next little boom town?

[Beaker]

The company is still conducting testing on the area to see what sort of impact it will have on the area from what I'm told and still have not decided fully.
But if it does happen Proserpine will be a hot spot for sure.

[Russ]

The mine will be be open cut and that its likely oil would be transported by pipeline to Abbot Point north of Bowen from where it would be exported.

In Bowen last year at meetings it was told that shale oil was a product earmarked for export from Abbot Point.
Its predicted that a pipeline could be built along the same corridor that already supported the water pipeline from Proserpine to Bowen.
A plant, will be built to treat the oil shale, would be built around where the Proserpine Airport is today.

An just now Abbot Point is undergoing some major expansions .

With current increase in oil prices just maybe it might happen.

[Builder Bob]

There is an environmental impact study being done on the shale oil project. The shale oil which has been known about for years is possibly very viable now with the high price of oil. The shale is apparently all around the airport extending well into the ocean.

[Whitsundays]

I'd like to see some real facts about the Shale Oil mining methods because the Greens here are claiming the sky is falling.
They have now leased / erected road side billboard signs with slogans and images of the reef with some sort of processing plant.

Some weeks ago I was actually having a chat the lady who is running the campaign against the Shale oil who last week was on the front page of the Proserpine Guardian news paper and she was claiming the community was dead against it.
But every one I speak to are either neutral or wanting the Shale Oil mine but she claims the opposite.
When I asked about the problems created by the mine she rambled off a load of nothing and went on to say the tailing pond was going to be bigger then the Town of Proserpine.
I instantly agreed that was not good , but when reading the newspaper the mine state the new technology process they will use requires no tailing ponds.

After being told a load of nothing and what I was told was a lie I now have no faith in this group campaigning against the shale oil mine.

[Russ]

From what I understand they will using a dry method with no ponds, clearly the lady you speak about has done no home work. It only takes a quick search online.:thumb_yello:


The Technology
The ATP process was originally developed in Canada for use with Canadian oil sands.
SPP/CPM saw the advantages both environmentally and economically of this
technology. The key advantages included:
• energy self-sufficient
• dry process, which does not require tailings ponds
• a mechanically simple and robust process
• straightforward construction
• comparatively low capital and operating costs
• flexibility in sizing units which permits staged development.


Mining
Oil shale mining is a typical open-cut operation. The ore is excavated without blasting
and trucked to the nearby plant site. A proven and comprehensive rehabilitation plan is
in place to reclaim and restore disturbed land. The mining is progressively back-filled
with inert processed shale and overburden, and revegetated with native species.
The shale is then processed using a dry, thermal process, which requires no additives.
It is essentially a heating operation that liberates the hydrocarbons from the oil shale
rock at around 500
o
C. A key feature of this process is the fact that there are no tailings
ponds associated with the mining and processing operation. This is a major
environment advantage over more typical wet mining processes.

I have attached some fact sheets about the shale oil system.

[Jimbo]

I read that there was approx 20 billion barrels just in the central qld area .
This oil could supply Australia for the next 50yrs of clean transport fuel enabling long term growth of the country.

The oil reserves are equal to the USA

[FSBO]

It didn't work in Gladstone I cannot see it happening in Proserpine with just a few changes to the system.

[Gazza]

Greenpeace has joined a protest against a plan to mine shale oil on the north Queensland coast.
Mining company Queensland Energy Resources is doing feasibility studies into an open cut mine 15 kilometres south of Proserpine.
Simon Roz says the Greenpeace boat, Esperanza, will join protests off Airlie Beach next week.
He says the mine would have catastrophic impacts on the tourist hub.
"It would be an enormous open-cut mine right on the edge of the Whitsundays," he said.
"This globally iconic tourist destination [is] proposed to have an open-cut mine that would be generating massive amounts of dust, it would be a visual eyesore, it'd be creating noxious fumes for the residents.
"It'd be a complete disaster.
"The fact that it's adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef, which would be directly at threat from the emissions that it would be contributing, is just ludicrous, so we're going up there to draw attention to this issue."
Queensland Energy Resources says it is setting up a community liaison committee so locals can express their views before an environmental impact statement is finished.
Suzette Pelt from local action group Save our Foreshore says she is concerned about the company's lack of transparency.
She alleges Queensland Energy Resources mislead the Gladstone community over the failed Stuart Deposit and is not convinced plans for a community reference group will provide answers to the Whitsunday community.
"In our experience these community liaison groups are set up and people go into them with the very best intentions, but what happens is that members are gagged, there's a veil of secrecy and they're not transparent with the community," she said.
"Really we would regard them as pretty fraudulent."



http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/11/2300692.htm

[Marie]

I think the shale oil mine will be great for the area of Proserpine.
I'd like to hear some real facts about the shale oil instead of the misleading info the Save Our Foreshore (SOF) have been spreading.
I'm really starting to feel the people of SOF are more scared of change to their little town then any thing else.
They are screaming about the so called pollution in the air from a mine that will be positioned in a fairly remote area but say nothing about a dirty stinkin sugar mill pumping out clouds of smoke daily right in the middle of the Proserpine town ..lol

[Gazza]

Here is a quote from Mackay Conservation Group
http://www.mackayconservationgroup.org.au/

Oil Shale Mining in the Whitsundays
Not Worth the Risks?
What is Oil Shale? Sedimentary rock containing organic matter that can be heated to
very high temperatures e.g. >350
0
C to extract kerogen which is distilled to obtain oil.
Where is the Proposed Mine? In the Goorganga Floodplain adjacent to and west of the
Goorganga Wetlands southeast of Proserpine, nationally significant for wildlife, fish
nurseries, high numbers of wetland types, and maintaining water quality in the Great
Barrier Reef. Listed in the Directory of Nationally Important Wetlands!
Project Stage? As of May 2008 the mining company QER has a Mineral Exploration
Permit extending from Glen Isla Road to south of the Whitsunday Coast Airport and east
to the coast. The known (MacFarlane formerly Condor) deposit stretches from just north
of the airport to north of Lethebrook and New Beach into Repulse Bay. QER mining
company proposes to obtain a mining lease for this deposit in the next few months and if
successful mine it initially as far east as the Bruce Highway over the next 40 years.
Size? An open cut mine one kilometer by ten kilometers. Most waste rock (of greater
volume than the original oil shale rock because the high heating processing temperatures
cause rock expansion) will be buried back in the mining voids.
Risks? The Need for Integrated Environmental, Social & Economic Assessment.
1. Surface and ground waters would permanently carry toxic pollutants in waste oil shale
rock through the wetlands, Repulse Bay and to the Great Barrier Reef. Short and
long-term impacts on water quality, fisheries & wildlife habitat, and tourism are
unknown but have been severe in other areas of the world e.g. Estonia & Canada.
2. Impacts of the sale of canefields to make way for the mine, and the mine’s water
requirements on the viability of the sugar cane industry in the region?
3. Noise impacts on communities and wildlife? The processing plant would need to run
24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Proserpine is approximately 6 km as the crow flies
from the proposed processing plant site.
4. Economic, social and environmental impacts of re-locating the Whitsunday Airport to
make way for the processing plant? Who pays?
5. Impacts of accidental toxic pollutant releases on communities and the environment?
The processing plant is usually upwind of Proserpine.
6. Carbon dioxide emissions from oil shale processing are three times those from coal.
Does the region wish to encourage an industry that is non-renewable and will be
expensive to support once emission caps are put in place, rather than focus on the
development of sustainable renewable energy options and jobs in renewables?
7. Infrastructure to support the project, which will require huge amounts of water and
energy, as well as the need for more roads, housing and other support services?
Where will it come from and who will pay for it? Mackay is still waiting for adequate
infrastructure support from the impacts of coal mining in the Northern Bowen Basin.
8. Most royalty revenues would need to flow back to the region to manage impacts of
the project yet there is no legislation to guarantee that, and the State has not done
that in the past. Post-mining sites are expensive to clean up and cannot be restored
to pre-mining conditions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION & UPDATES CONTACT: Mackay Conservation Group
Websites: mackayconservationgroup.org.au or saveourforeshore.com
E-mail: pajulien@orion-online.com.au Ph: (07) 4966 8025

[Marie]

3. Noise impacts on communities and wildlife? The processing plant would need to run
24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Proserpine is approximately 6 km as the crow flies

from the proposed processing plant site.

How stupid are these people , noise impact on a town 6ks away. Last time I looked Proserpine had a massive sugar plant dead smack in the middle of town with houses backing onto it. The plant runs 24hrs a day aswell and gives of the most sickly smell at time and creates nasty man made clouds over the town.

For years cane farmers were burning sugar cane until the green cutting days arrived. We have cane rails running through peoples back yards and cane haulers pulling out on 100k speed areas doing 20k. Look how many accidents and people killed by cane farming, but yet these groups use a damaging industry as a lame excuse not to allow a shale oil mine.
They are really grasping at straws now!

[Whitsundays]

On the radio today they stated Queensland Energy Resources, a shale oil mining company, will create a community liaison committee so businesses, residents and industry groups can have their say about the future oil mine.

Chief executive officer Pearce Bowman said the company would establish the committee earlier than required by the government.
"I am keen to get community members involved as early as possible," Mr Bowman said.

Mr Bowman said the workshops, which begin next week, would help residents provide direct input into the role, structure and composition of the community liaison committee.
"It will have an independent chair and be run by the people of the region for the people of the region."
As part of the early studies on whether it would be possible to mine just south of Proserpine, Mr Bowman said the company would conduct social, economic and environmental research.
That would be done before it moved to creating an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

[Dolly]

I found this interesting article regarding shale oil


Posted Fri Jul 11, 2008 3:03pm AEST
(http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200803/r232541_930502.jpg) With fuel prices on the rise, Queensland Energy Resources says it has a way of easing Australia's oil shortage. (ABC: File photo)



Audio: Qld energy company pushes for shale oil production (The World Today) (http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/twt/200807/20080711-twt-03-shale-oil.mp3)



While scientists are warning we're too dependent on oil, a Queensland company says it now has the technology to develop shale oil deposits that it says could secure Australia's energy needs.
Queensland Energy Resources says it could ultimately produce a million barrels a day feeding the nation's energy needs well into the next century.
The company claims it can turn the sedimentary rock into crude oil in a sustainable way, but environmentalists describe it as the most greenhouse intensive of all the fossil fuels.
And there are doubts about the technical feasibility of extracting shale oil and the overall environmental problems it may pose.
Simon Eldridge, the director of corporate affairs for Queensland Energy Resources, says more attention needs to be paid to the supply of oil.
"Australia clearly has a shortage of oil. We have a ever-increasing demand for oil and oil is not just used in fuels but across a wide range of products," he said.
"Oil shale resources in Australia have the potential to have a sustained production level of a million barrels a day.
"We estimate that in two decades we can be producing in the order of 500,000 a day. To put that in perspective, Australia currently imports in the order of 350,000 barrels a day."
He says shale oil can be produced well within a carbon cap.
"Australia will be entering a carbon cap regime from 2010," he said.
"Any CO2 emissions involved in the production of anything will have to be within that overall cap that will decline between now and 2050 in accordance with the government's commitment."
[B]Cost-effectiveness

He says strategies to make production cost-effective are under investigation now.
"The Government is yet to release its green paper on the ETS for 2010," he said.
"We are yet to understand the pricing mechanisms. We are yet to understand the full rules but we will be committed obviously to operating within whatever scheme is in place."
Mr Eldridge says until such time as the world transitions to new fuel sources, oil will still be needed.
"There is a demand for oil and a requirement for oil. All alternative sources, at the moment, do not have the energy density and the beneficial properties that oil does," he said.
"The issue is that it is the oil shortage and the issue of oil security that is driving the need to develop oil shale.
"The current oil price drives the economics of doing so but the fundamental need is driven by the need to secure supply of oil for Australia.
He says Queensland Energy Resources are looking at energy sources and supply, but are primarily focussing on stationary energy.
"We are very focused on the need to underpin transport fuels and after all, we will produce a synthetic crude that is capable of being upgraded at any Australian refinery," he said.
"Transport fuels underpin the economic growth and the livelihoods of all Australians."
Environmental concerns

But despite previous doubts about the complexity and inefficiency of extracting shale oil, Mr Eldridge has faith in his company's ability to do it with minimal environmental impact.
"Past attempts certainly haven't been as successful as proponents would have liked," he said.
"We believe that with new technology available in Australia that we can do this sustainably, that we can do it safely, that we can do it in a manner that meets all environmental requirements but more importantly, produces the oil that Australia will need well into the next century."
He says the technology to be used in the extraction process, called Paraho, is being constantly refined but certainly exists.
"We are a privately owned company so at the moment we don't require institutional investment of funds," he said.
"But down the track, based on performance, investment will be driven by performance of the technology and performance in production of shale oil on a sustained basis."
Adapted from a Jayne Margetts story for The World Today, July 11.

(http://www.abc.net.au/news/tag/qld)

[Whitsundays]

Greenpeace's largest and fastest vessel, Esperanza has pulled up near Airlie Beach.
At first I thought it was just a big trawler out at sea but fishing tonight off Abell Point marina I noted small vessels with Greenpeace signs all over them.

It will be interesting to see how long Greenpeace will stick around in the area.
From my understanding there was a rally already held with a public information day at the sailing club end of Airlie Beach.
I just hope they provided the correct information not the misleading lies Suzette Peit told me.

[Beaker]

Australia is running on empty.
We have about 8 years of oil reserves left. That’s why we’re importing more of the stuff than ever before. By 2015 we’re looking at a trade deficit in oil of $27 billion – up from just $4 billion in 2005.
Fuel prices are already topping $1.60 a litre at some pumps. But oil industry insiders are saying even this is a bargain!
Due to higher crude costs, global refining shortages and the introduction of carbon costs by the Government, Caltex believes we’re staring down the barrel of $3 fuel within the decade!
Some thing needs to happen and the push for Shale Oil is strong.
We are still a long way from using other energy sources.:flasher:

[Agents no]

I'm told an Australian company has been able to turn underground coal deposits into gas (called syngas)... then turn that gas into ultra-clean diesel

There is said to be enough coal to last over 600 years at current rates of consumption.
There are more than 42 BILLION tonnes of coal left in Australia – and it’s now more valuable than ever.

Not only has one small Australian firm already perfected this process...they’re about to bring over 20,000 barrels a day of this revolutionary new fuel to market!

Diesel that’s 40% cleaner... 75% cheaper... and made from vast coal reserves, right here in Australia!

[Dave]

That is some positive news for Australia do you have any more information about the project and when will it start?
And will it actually bring the fuel prices down or will it be just a money spinner for the company cashing in on the high oil prices?
I hope it does not end up being exported just like our iron ore that we end up buying back.

[Tammy]

An email was forwarded to me today by Air Daily www.aireview.com.au (http://www.aireview.com.au)
The email was exactly the same as the below link, it honestly gives me the feel of Spam and it's hard to take serious when it's presented this way.
I have my doubts.

http://www.portphillippublishing.com.au/research/asi/0806mm.cfm?source=e9aaj707




(http://www.portphillippublishing.com.au/research/asi/0806mm.cfm?source=e9aaj707)

[Gazza]

I was reading statement from Queensland Energy Resources ( QER) the developer of the proposed shale oil mine.

The company stated it was disappointed at critics' attempts to inflame a debate during what should be an important phase of community discussion.
Director Simon Eldridge said claims made by Greenpeace and Save Our Foreshore( SOF) in recent weeks were untrue.
" It is naive and factually incorrect for Greenpeace to suggest any mine would have a catastrophic impact on the Whitsundays or produce massive amounts of dust, be a visual eyesore or create noxious fumes for residents," he said.

"Greenpeace has a right to voice an opinion but equally, the community has a right to expect that commentary from Greenpeace will be informed, be sensible and contribute to an informed debate, and so far Greenpeace has failed that test at every turn," he said.
"All we're asking for is a fair go and a fair hearing where decisions are made on the facts."
Mr Eldridge said the project has the potential to generate around 3,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent jobs.
He said the company's current investigations were assessing the socioeconomic nature and needs of the region, as well as the biophysical environment.
"We need this baseline information before we can truly understand if this project is feasible," Mr Eldridge said.

[Whitsundays]

Mr Eldridge said the project has the potential to generate around 3,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent jobs.

That would be a great boost to the Proserpine area for sure.
I have spoken to many locals about the proposed shale oil mine and they are all for it, but of course it needs to pass enviromental guidelines.

Simon Eldridge is right, Greenpeace and Save Our Foreshores have been filling the public with total lies
It's a new processing technology - it's a very different technology from that which was used before but some how SOF and Greenpeace are experts on this:lolol:

Suzette Peit has personally informed me that there will be a tailing pond as large as the town of Proserpine, clearly she has no clue to the mining method as the new technology process they will use requires no tailing ponds.

Honestly how can you take any thing they say seriously ?

[Gazza]

I just had to post these comments....how true!:cheers:



Director of corporate affairs Simon Eldridge said it was hypocritical that Greenpeace was powering its "Soviet-era ship" that relies on diesel, to come to an area to protest against the production of diesel.
"They will be emitting CO2 as they go, but somehow they don't acknowledge the irony or hypocrisy of their actions," Mr Eldridge said.
"If Greenpeace is so strongly opposed to the production and use of diesel fuels, then it should at the very least change its entire fleet to be powered solely by solar, wind or hydrogen.
"It is very unlikely Greenpeace would elect to do that because the reality is that, for at least the foreseeable future, there are no viable alternative fuels for use in long-distance heavy transport vehicles."

[Ross]

In the US, which has some of the largest shale deposits in the world, the Democrats have blocked the opening of more land to oil shale production because of the potential environmental effect.


It's previously been attempted in Gladstone by Southern Pacific Petroleum but it was considered as uncompetitive against crude oil and shutdown in 2004.

Toni Robertson-Randall has a property in the proposed impact area and says she does not want to see the project go ahead.

She says it's going to lead to a repeat of the circumstances near Gladstone where people left the area due to pollution and health concerns.

"The mine down in Gladstone literally drove 140 farmers of their places as the smell made people sick and blistered their skin.

"Eventually the mine and plant was closed in 2004 and the state government had to buy most of the residents out.

"They only offered about a third or a half of the value of their homes though."

Mrs Robertson-Randall also says that destruction to the water habitats in the area is likely if the mine goes ahead and that acid sulphate soils will be exposed to the air, causing destructive sulfuric acid to develop.

[Whitsundays]

I just hope Toni Robertson-Randall has been provided the real information not just the lies provided by SOF group.

As stated: It's a new processing technology - it's a very different technology from that which was used before .


QER said it looked at 60 different technologies for extracting shale oil. It decided on the Paraho process, which it claims will meet Queensland Environmental Protection Agency requirements.

They are also conscious of the (emissions) cap and trade regime that are most likely to be operating in by the time they come on stream

[Beaker]

American owned Queensland Energy Company (QER) have tenements to 1600 hectares just south of Proserpine.

QER will make a decision about whether to proceed with its proposed $14 billion project by the end of this year.
It said such a project could supply 115,000 barrels of oil a day, or 1.6 billion barrels for the next 40 years.
By comparison, the world's largest shale project in Brazil produces about 4600 barrels a day.

QER is targeting full commercial production to begin in 2016-17.

[Whitsundays]

:welcomeani: In a significant departure from established industry practice, the company investigating the development of oil shale resources near Proserpine in the Whitsunday region has announced it will establish an independent Community Liaison Committee in August with the first workshops starting next week.
The Committee will be a forum through which local businesses, community and industry groups, and ordinary citizens can make known their views about the development of the oil shale resources.
Workshops will be held initially in Proserpine and Airlie Beach with workshops subsequently planned for Mackay and Bowen.
CEO of QER (Queensland Energy Resources) Pearce Bowman said the company was establishing the Committee much earlier than is normal and far in advance of when it would be required by Government to establish such a committee.
“I am keen to get community members involved as early as possible as the company continues its investigations into the potential development of the McFarlane oil shale deposit 15 kms south of Proserpine,” Bowman said.
Bowman said QER was committed to a transparent and genuine process of two-way information exchange at a series of community workshops to be held over the coming days and weeks that will lead to the establishment of the Committee.
“We will be asking people attending those workshops to express their views and highlight those aspects of the possible development in respect of which they want more information and answers,” Bowman said.
“We will also be asking them to provide direct input into the role, structure and composition of the Community Liaison Committee to be established.
“The Committee will have an independent chair and it will be run by the people of the region for the people of the region.
“My view is that by understanding how the community weighs up and responds to the opportunities and difficulties presented by a venture of such national importance, the company can address the issues sensibly and with due concern for all stakeholders, and ultimately better decisions will be made for the long-term benefit and future of the region.
According to Bowman, the Committee will have a genuine role in helping to develop aspects of the project if it goes ahead.
“Together with the company, the people of the region will be establishing a process for consultation – we will trust in the process and trust in the people, he said.
“In our current pre-feasibility phase, we are conducting a range of background monitoring activities and commissioning social, economic and environmental research before we make any decision to proceed further with a possible Environmental Impact Statement.
“Although we are still in the very early stages of a complex and lengthy process of assessment, I strongly believe our early investigations must also include seeking out the views of our local stakeholders.
“We have developed these community workshops and invited groups such as the landowners, business, tourist and agricultural industry to start to understand what the community members think and feel about a number of matters relating to the potential mining of the shale deposits.”
Bowman said the workshops would be a genuine opportunity for attendees to get the facts about QER.
“I am sure people will be keen to learn more about what we are really doing and what we really are contemplating for the future,” he said.
“We are still relatively unknown to the community and we are concerned there is some factually incorrect information being produced about QER and oil shale projects.
“It is very important for QER to be a responsible corporate member of the community and no decision will be made to develop the shale oil deposit until all the correct processes have been followed.
“That said, we believe that future development of the McFarlane resource would bring thousands of much needed jobs and investment to the Whitsunday region and will further underpin a viable local resort and tourism industry, an industry that is currently suffering at the hands of current high oil prices and a high Australian dollar.”Simon Eldridge
Director Corporate Affairs
07 3222 0612
seldridge@qer.com.au

[Agents no]

Holding a forum/work shop is a great idea and it will help educate the public about what is really going on.
It sounds like far to much incorrect information is being spread by groups and it's about time we all got to the bottom of it!

[Gazza]

I came across this article
It was actually a google add on REAO forum advertising.
http://www.energyandcapital.com/aqx_p/4983?gclid=CJXDwfKM3ZQCFSQbagodtAS2SA

What has me confused I have heard the Greens stating Shale oil extraction was banned in the USA so why are they advertising for investors?
Am I missing some thing?

July 26th, 2008
U.S. oil production has been spiraling downward for the last 40 years.
But there's one area that's just starting to heat up...
Locals call it "The Bakken." It's a behometh oil reserve stretching across North Dakota, Montana and southeastern Saskatchewan... a basin so massive it contains 10 times more barrels of oil than Alaska's North Slope.
The U.S. Geological Survey has reported the Bakken Formation could hold more than 400 billion barrels of recoverable oil!
Until recent years, the technology simply wasn't available to economically extract the oil from the Bakken shales. But with breakthrough techniques such as horizontal drilling, the full potential of the Bakken play can now be developed.
And unlike Northern Canada's oil sands, the Bakken's oil can be extracted relatively cheap, without the use of energy intensive processes.

[Mr Green]

Gazza It does not not sound like the same method being used, but I have known to be wrong.lol


Until recent years, the technology simply wasn't available to economically extract the oil from the Bakken shales. But with breakthrough techniques such as horizontal drilling, the full potential of the Bakken play can now be developed.

[Mr Green]

July 31, 2008


CONCERN about the proposed oil shale mine near Proserpine is spreading across the globe.



More than 2,500 signatures have been collected in protest to the mine, including online signatures from people in Singapore, Switzerland, Mexico, Canada, UK, Ireland, Portugal, and Pakistan.
Save Our Foreshore member Faye Chapman said international interest in the issue had peaked in the past few weeks.
"The momentum is really gathering," she said.
Meanwhile, the Whitsunday tourism industry has confirmed its opposition to the mine.
Tourism Whitsundays CEO Peter O'Reilly said operators saw the proposed project as a threat to their industry.
"We see it as completely incompatible with the world heritage values that underpin our tourism industry," he said.
He said whatever the reality, people's perceptions of a mine within a holiday destination would have dire effects on business.
"The perception will be devastating," he said. He said after hearing about the impacts of the mine in Gladstone, it would be hard for people to believe the area would be an ideal place to visit.

http://www.whitsundaytimes.com.au/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3780211

[Gazza]

2,500 signatures and how many are them are locals I'd be guessing 10%?
It seems the word has spread that there is actually a mine going to be based at Airlie Beach, when infact it's approx 10-20 minute drive south west of Proserpine.
When people were corrected of the location that are dead against the mine they still classed it as Airlie Beach zone.
The funny thing is when people talk of visiting Airlie Beach they do not include Proserpine, but suddenly they do now..lol

I just returned from the area last week and on arrival into Proserpine I was welcomed with a cloud of thick smoke sweeping the town from a cane burn off.
The smoke was so thick my chest was hurting as I fueled up at the local BP.
The following day there were more cane fires ,but that was the least of my conern as I looked into the sky a huge cloud of smoke was hovering over the town from the sugar mill. The sugar mill stacks were pumping massive amounts of who know's what into the sky with some of it hovering over the town.

It really made me laugh to myself that the greens are jumping up and down over pollution , but say nothing about kids playing and living right beside a massive smoke stacks pumping tons of rubbish into the air.

Sad sad

[Realty]

It's sad that we have come to this.

[Jimbo]

The price of oil is not about to drop , so I'd say it's possible the shale oil mine could go ahead.

[Sue]

I read that Jan Jarret is now against the Shale Oil mine.
From my understanding that most of the modules for the shale oil mine will be constructed overseas, not requiring Australian labour.
And there is no guarantee any local labour for running of the the mine will be required.
With most of the staff provided with accommodation on site with a fly in out operation.

At the end of the day what will the town of Proserpine actually gain from this project?

[Whitsundays]

Premier Anna Bligh has announced a 20 year moratorium for the Whitsundays.

QER said the decision was premature.

The premier has not ruled out shale oil, hmmmm :confused:

[Dave]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/24/2344733.htm

Posted Sun Aug 24, 2008 8:04am AEST

Anna Bligh says she will not allow the environment to be put at risk.

The Queensland Government has announced the Whitsundays region will be off limits to all shale oil mining.

The decision puts a stop to plans to dig up about 400,000 tonnes of rock for testing at the McFarlane deposit about 15 kilometres south of Proserpine.

Shale oil extraction and production is known to generate high amounts of greenhouse gas.

Premier Anna Bligh says she will not allow the environment to be put at risk while the technology for extraction is still not proven.

There will be a 20-year moratorium on all mining activities, bulk sampling and exploration at the McFarlane deposit.

Only one lease exists to mine shale oil in Gladstone and the Premier says no new shale oil mines will be permitted anywhere in the state.

Conservationist Suzette Plet said it was feared the project would harm the reef, local tourism and local community. She has welcomed the decision as "fantastic news".

But the Queensland Resources Council's Michael Roche says the decision has more to do with the conservation of the marginal seat of Whitsunday than environmental protection.

The State member for Whitsunday, Jan Jarrett, has dismissed claims the decision is part of a bid to keep her marginal seat in Labor hands.

"This transcends local politics, this is really I think an issue of national and even international [importance]," she said.

"It sits alongside the moratorium on uranium mining and oil drilling on the reef; it's that level of concern that the community across the nation I think would share."

[Whitsundays]

All shale oil development relating to the McFarlane deposit, near Proserpine, will be banned for 20 years, under laws passed by Parliament yesterday.

[Eyes]

All shale oil development relating to the McFarlane deposit, near Proserpine, will be banned for 20 years, under laws passed by Parliament yesterday.

The project is now good an buried , with requests for them to re-fill the test dig site due to fear of damage to the underground water.

As for the Stuart Oil pilot plant it has come at a cost.
It is a shame the once thriving Targinie community is almost gone.
The buyout of Targinie, a community near the old Stuart Shale Oil pilot plant, north of Gladstone in central Queensland, has cost the State Government more than $50 million so far.
152 lots have been purchased at Targinie since 2002 to become part of the state development area.:mad: