Minden wins mine battle | Gatton News | Local News in Gatton

THE famous catch cry of ‘don’t mess with Minden’ has been heard loud and clear by a company wishing to carry out sandstone mining in the heart of the Minden community.

At a public meeting held last Wednesday night (March 3, 2010), Member for Ipswich West, Wayne Wendt informed the assembled crowd that people power and common sense had ‘won the day’.

This announcement meant the planned sandstone mine, which was to be located within 500 metres of the local state school, would not be proceeding.

The community first became aware of the proposal when the mine owners advertised the details in the local media one month ago.

Following this the Minden community quickly swung into action and held a number of public meetings, the first of which attracted 250 residents.

Assistance was sought from Government experts from the Mining and Environment departments, who provided professional as well as legal advice to the group.

However the final abandonment of the application was only reached when Mr Wendt contacted the mine proponents and commenced discussions with them.

“I was able to point out to them that their proposal would not be in the best interests of the community, and in fact would have harmful effects on the local ecology, environment and quality of life of the residents,” Mr Wendt said.

“Further, I had to make them understand that a mine site so close to the local state school would not be acceptable,” Mr Wendt said.

“I don’t anticipate that anyone will try to do something like this again in Minden.

“Certainly everyone is happy to see jobs and industry, but it has to be coupled with the local community, and in this case it obviously wasn’t,” Mr Wendt said.