A speaking tour to be held in three venues across Southern Queensland next week will focus on the effects of coal and gas developments on agriculture and rural communities.

The tour is being organised by Property Rights Australia and will include events at Wandoan, Condamine and Cecil Plains on August 13, 14 and 15 respectively.

Author Sharyn Munro, who has written a book called “Rich Land, Wasteland”, will talk about the stories she experienced during her year-long travels into areas of Australia affected by either existing or planned coal and coal seam gas developments.

PRA chair Joanne Rea said speakers will also focus on concerns for landowners that have arisen from the release in recent months of Arrow Energy’s Environmental Impact Statement and the Queensland

Water Commission report into likely cumulative impacts of extraction on aquifer drawdowns and water quality and equality.

Max Winders, an engineer and the principal of MWA Environmental, a specialist consultancy in air, noise and water impact assessment and management, will talk about his company’s water impact assessments, which have covered both surface groundwater studies.

Mr Winders believes that the Walloon Coal Measures contain a very significant source of water for grazing and intensive animal husbandry and that governments should not permit it to be wasted by evaporation or transferred to coal mining.

Speakers include John Hillier, a former Queensland Government hydrogeologist with more 40 years experience and Tom Marland of Creevey Russell Lawyers.

Mrs Rea said the speaking tour would provide an opportunity for people to learn how coal and gas extraction has affected communities and the environment including the water table in many parts of Australia.

For further information about the tour contact Property Rights Australia secretary Dale Still on (07) 4628 2173 or email dstil@bigpond.com