FARMERS' fears about prime agricultural land being taken over by mining companies are increasing, prompting some on Yorke Peninsula to call a meeting to discuss the issue.
Landowners surrounding the Hillside mine near Ardrossan have been attending public information sessions given by Rex Minerals and the Department of State Development, but are frustrated by a lack of answers to questions raised at these meetings.
Elden Oster, Petersville, called an unofficial farmers' meeting on Thursday last week, along with two other producers.
"Consultation is supposed to be occurring as part of the program for environment protection and rehabilitation for Hillside but we aren't getting answers," he said. "So a bunch of us decided to have a farmers only meeting and open up the discussion about what the issues are and what can be done.
"With about 95 per cent of the peninsula covered by mining tenements, we feel there needs to be greater education, not just about what is happening at Hillside but also the potential impact on the whole of YP and our right to farm.
"When issues such as dust and water are raised we are told there is no issue but not given answers as to why - it is the biggest insult to the people who supply the food bowl of the world.
"I urge farmers to become more proactively involved and informed about the issues."
About 60 farmers attended the information session, where they heard from GPSA chief executive Darren Arney, several farmers who have been impacted directly by Hillside, and YP Landowners Group's Stephen Lodge and Joy Wundersitz.
Ms Wundersitz explained the work YPLOG had been doing to be an independent voice for the community, but noted the power imbalance between members of the local community and mining companies and the government.
"YPLOG has met with and shown various politicians the Hillside site, but our concerns about the threats to the environment and farming seem to fall on deaf ears," she said.
"We are tired of hearing the statement 'mining and farming can co-exist on YP' - they can't.
"Mined land can never be returned to prime cropping country and agriculture can continue to support the state's economy for generations to come.
"Despite the odds stacked in favour of mining, YPLOG and other groups like ours are achieving a great deal."
Karina Natt
Journalist at Stock Journal.
Journalist at Stock Journal.
