Although The Chronicle printed a very emotive article on 3 February 2011 stating that Gowrie Junction was going to be the next coal mine ghost town, there was never any plan to put a coal mine at Gowrie Junction.

There is an EPC (Exploration Permit for Coal) which includes Gowrie Junction.  However,  both Australia Pacific Coal and Blackwood Coal (the holders of the EPC) have stated that Gowrie Junction is not their target area.  Blackwood Coal released an official statement on 1 March 2011 that in light of the latest geological information the Gowrie Junction area does not warrant further assessment.

ABC News reported on 8 March 2011 that a thin layer of basalt below the ground made the Gowrie Junction/Kingsthorpe area unsuitable for mining.

Both sides of government have given assurances that mining will not take place in residential areas.  However local resident groups have been very active in organising meetings to keep the pressure on both sides of government to stop the granting of EPC's over residential land.  

EPC's are not new - they've been around for many years and cover a very large part of Queensland, including some major built up residential areas where development has gradually extended across them.  It is a concern that Governments should have seen them coming but didn't.  Ministerial attention has recently been drawn to the issue and statements of legislative intentions have been issued. 

Further information, with full copies of the press release, news article and other relevant documents, is available by emailing info@qpinvestment.com.au or phoning Lee Walker on 0414 749 230