Queensland Town of 400 Fears Industry Advance

WHERE other towns across Queensland have applauded the state government's push to protect them from mining exploration, the picturesque township of Harrisville is less confident.

With a population of just 400, the sleepy Scenic Rim village falls short of the 1000 residents required to prevent prospectors from exploring within 2km of the town limits.

For six years, the town, 80km southwest of Brisbane, has been covered by an exploration permit entitling Arrow Energy to test the coal deposits buried beneath it.

Without the Bligh government's protection, some townspeople fear the encroaching resource industry will begin to affect their quality of life.  Read More 

The Australian