Senate hearing in Oakey 29th Sept 09

From left: Senator Scott Ludlam, Senator Anne McEwen, Committee Secretary Ian Holland, Senator Simon Birmingham, Senator John Williams.

Friends of Felton reps Rob McCreath, Vicki Green, and Ian Whan appear before the committee.

Friends of Felton members were out in force to welcome the committee to Oakey.

FOF supporters packed the public gallery.

Part of the FOF display of local produce outside the meeting venue.


Felton's younger generation with a wheelbarrow of locally grown food.

Media reports on the Senate hearing are available here (ABC), here (The Age) , here (Toowoomba Chronicle) , here (Crikey.com)

ABC TV Stateline report and transcipt are available here

Senate Committee visits Felton

The Senate Inquiry into the impacts of mining in the Murray Darling Basin came to Felton yesterday. Four senators came from the Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts: Sen Simon Birmingham - LP, SA, chair; Sen Anne McEwen -ALP, SA, deputy chair; Sen Scott Ludlam - Aust Greens; Sen John Williams - NATS, NSW.


The large crowd of FOF members appreciated the opportunity to inform the committee of the proposed layout for Ambre Energy's so-called Felton 'Clean Coal' Project. They pointed out the quality of the surrounding farmland, the proximity to Hodgson Creek, the importance of the nearby hills as recharge areas for underground aquifers, and the number of people that live in the area.

After visiting the Felton Valley, the committee toured the Acland area, viewing the devastation caused by the New Acland open-cut coal mine, and visiting the ghost town of Acland - itself under threat from the expanding mine.








Watch a video of the senators visit here from Qld Country Life.

Friends of Felton supports Toowoomba's 60th Carnival of Flowers

Friends of Felton once again entered a float in Toowoomba's Carnival of Flowers parade. This years event was the 60th, and drew a huge crowd of 100,000 spectators. Our float showcased the variety of food produced in the Felton Valley, and also carried a windmill and solar panel, to represent our interest in renewable energy as an alternative to coal development.





Our float was preceded by a group of Felton youngsters from 3 families that have been in the area for up to 6 generations.

Cakes against Coal

Friends of Felton organised a very successful cake stall in Pittsworth on Friday. We are raising funds to employ professional consultants to prepare our case against Ambre Energy’s Mining Lease application at Felton.

Organiser Andrea Sullivan said the local community had been very supportive. “It was a great opportunity for us to earn some money, and at the same time inform the people of Pittsworth of the serious consequences for the town and surrounding area if mining is allowed to go ahead at Felton. It would open the floodgates to more mining all around Pittsworth. We’ve seen what’s happened to Acland and we don’t want that to be repeated here” she said.

The cake stall raised $700. The raffle was won by the Free family. Friends of Felton have many more activities planned, including a float in the Toowoomba Carnival Of Flowers parade, a night at Toowoomba Rep Theatre on 26th Sept, and a Race Day at Clifford Park, Toowoomba, on 24th October. Enquiries and tickets - friendsoffelton@live.com