Friends of Stradbroke Island

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2014/s4072085.htm

http://www.theguardian.com/ commentisfree/2014/aug/10/ campbell-newman-is-in- quicksand-over-mining-on- stradbroke North Stradbroke, affectionately known as “Straddie” by most South-east Queenslanders, is the world’s second largest sand island. It’s a popular holiday destination on Brisbane’s doorstep, with beautiful surfing beaches and a laid-back feel. Amendments to the 2011 North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability Act, were passed by the Queensland parliament last November. They are intended to allow mineral sand mining by the Belgian owned concern Sibelco to be extended at the main Enterprise mine in 2019 (the current limit) to 2035. Sibelco stands to benefit by $1.5 billion,  according  to its own figures. Last year, it  closed  a small silica sand mine on the island which had employed 13 people. It had not been  scheduled to close  until 2025. Sibelco’s future operations depend upon the Enterprise mine. In a  scathing assessment  of Queensland Premi