23 MAY 2011http://qcl.farmonline.com.au
Producer won't shy from a fight
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
2 min read
KEITH Jessen (pictured) is among the farmers pledging to lock out the bauxite mining explorers currently rummaging through the South Burnett.
The cattle and grain grower is no stranger to a fight.
Formally involved in agri-politics, especially the Grain Growers Association, he said he has taken on the State Government over infrastructure losses and developments during a lifetime on the land.
Recently, his century-long family owned property was also among those bordering the Cougar Energy UCG plant which had water tested following the contamination scare.
However, the 81-year-old is now prepared to tackle the next threat to the stability of his operation and region - bauxite mining.
A few weeks ago, Mr Jessen said he received a phone call from QBL requesting to enter his 150-hectare property and prospect for bauxite.
"I didn't think I had any rights to say no and so I agreed," he said.
The company was scheduled to enter his property this Monday. However, during the concerned citizens meeting on May 11, Mr Jessen said he understood for the first time that he had the option to refuse access.
Clutching the microphone to loud applause, Mr Jessen said he could not stand by and watch mining development threaten the farmland he has cultivated and profited from his entire life.
He called out to QBL chief operating officer Mark Derriman, who was seated on the front row, and announced that the company was "not welcome" on to his land any more and he was publicly declining their request to prospect on his land.
Mr Jessen said while the region was "complacent" when Cougar Energy first came knocking on their doors a few years ago, it was essential the region quickly mobilised against the new threat of bauxite exploration.
"We are not being pressured by it yet but there are very high feelings about it because this is fertile land that we should be protecting," he said. "I think we were all a little naive when Cougar came here beforehand, but it is important we are not caught out this time."
Formally involved in agri-politics, especially the Grain Growers Association, he said he has taken on the State Government over infrastructure losses and developments during a lifetime on the land.
Recently, his century-long family owned property was also among those bordering the Cougar Energy UCG plant which had water tested following the contamination scare.
However, the 81-year-old is now prepared to tackle the next threat to the stability of his operation and region - bauxite mining.
A few weeks ago, Mr Jessen said he received a phone call from QBL requesting to enter his 150-hectare property and prospect for bauxite.
"I didn't think I had any rights to say no and so I agreed," he said.
The company was scheduled to enter his property this Monday. However, during the concerned citizens meeting on May 11, Mr Jessen said he understood for the first time that he had the option to refuse access.
Clutching the microphone to loud applause, Mr Jessen said he could not stand by and watch mining development threaten the farmland he has cultivated and profited from his entire life.
He called out to QBL chief operating officer Mark Derriman, who was seated on the front row, and announced that the company was "not welcome" on to his land any more and he was publicly declining their request to prospect on his land.
Mr Jessen said while the region was "complacent" when Cougar Energy first came knocking on their doors a few years ago, it was essential the region quickly mobilised against the new threat of bauxite exploration.
"We are not being pressured by it yet but there are very high feelings about it because this is fertile land that we should be protecting," he said. "I think we were all a little naive when Cougar came here beforehand, but it is important we are not caught out this time."
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