GRAZIER LAUNCHES PETITION OVER ADANI LAND GRAB

My name is William Graham and I’m a fifth-generation grazier on a cattle station near Emerald in Central Queensland.This week the Queensland government has compulsorily acquired 3568 hectares of agricultural land in this region, for Adani's private rail line to their proposed Carmichael coal mine. Graziers and farming families are coming to grips with the news that parts of their properties will no longer belong to them. The nuisance factor is enormous. Properties will  be  split apart, and access to water and facilities more difficult. These landholders no longer have any choice about whether or not to sell and the only thing they can do is negotiate a price with the Queensland government. The rail line will be unsuitable for uses such as general freight, cattle trains or passengers - the only beneficiaries will be Galilee Basin coal mines seeking access to Abbot Point.   Many families directly affected by these compulsory acquisitions have signed confidentiality agreements with Adani, so are not able to speak out. That’s why I’m starting this petition. Even though our property is not one of the ones being taken, I feel a responsibility for our broader region.   As a grazier , I  care deeply about our land, water and our rural communities. The Adani mine threatens all of this. It will also make damage to our climate worse. Graziers and farmers are already on the front line of extreme weather events such as drought. There are too many reasons why Carmichael Mine is a bad idea to list here.  My vision for this region includes my family, the community and agriculture in this district for a thousand years. I don't think Adani can say the same.Add your name to call on the Premier, Opposition Leader and all candidates running in the Queensland state election to commit to supporting farmers by stopping special deals for  Adani  like  this  land  acquisition. BACKGROUND  INFORMATION: The Coordinator  General compulsorily acquired the land for the Carmichael Rail Network: the whole rail line from Carmichael to Abbot Point. This occurred on Friday the 6th of October and appeared as an extraordinary addition to the edition of the Qld Gazette published on Friday the 13th.  The land acquired represents the rail route and space for associated infrastructure. The coordinator general may now own it or transfer it to another government body, government owned corporation or it may be leased or sold to a private company like Adani.