Community body against Hanson expansion nears 2000 members
1800 people have now joined a grassroots collective formed to fight the planned Hanson Glasshouse Quarry expansion, as the group plans its next steps to activate their campaign.
The strong community reaction comes in response to a Development Application (DA) lodged with Sunshine Coast Council by Hanson in late July proposing to double rock extraction to 1.2 million tonnes per year at their Glass House Mountains site.
This has triggered a passionate response from local community members and activated the formation of the ‘Save our Glasshouse Mountains” community group.
Glass House Mountains resident and co-founding member of the group, Megan Standring, said she had been humbled and exhilarated by the overwhelming interest shown for the community initiated campaign, with people from all walks of life and across the region stepping up to offer support. She said plans were now underway to launch a series of ‘roundtable’ structured forums inviting people who had indicated interest and offered skillsets to get involved in key areas of activation.
“It is important we structure our response well. There is so much information that is so layered, so we are establishing round table groups drawing upon a collective togetherness approach to best address the various areas we need to focus on by,” said Megan.
Megan said with the expectation that the community submission process could open anytime from late October onwards, she said it was vital to be prepared. She said the group has been guided by community input and were about to launch three roundtable zoom sessions structured around the most timely issues; lobby and strategy, fundraising and DA submission and research.
Megan said group members have also met recently with Glasshouse Mountains Advancement Network (GMAN), for guidance around formalising the group’s structure, and were now in the process of establishing a not for profit entity.
“We have a good relationship with GMAN and plan to meet with them regularly to tap into their knowledge. GMAN has a great understanding of many of the historical issues involved in the original quarry approval process and are sharing their archives,” Megan said.
To find out more, visit the ‘Save our Glass House Mountains’ Facebook page or email saveourglasshousemountains@gmail.com
sonia@gcnews.com.au
