Mine's Hole Traps Queensland Cattlewoman

Cattlewoman Trish Goodwin is isolated at her central Queensland property near Bluff after heavy rains rendered the mine-constructed access road impassable. The road, built to bypass her land, is now washed away, leaving her stranded and rationing supplies. She fears requiring medical attention, as an ambulance would need a helicopter. This predicament stems from the Bluff coal mine, twice mothballed and recently under a company in receivership.

Goodwin has faced over a decade of uncertainty, broken promises, and degraded infrastructure due to mining operations on her family's land. The mine's current state means rehabilitation, including road repairs, is not expected for at least a month, and potentially longer if further rain occurs. This ongoing vulnerability impacts her health and daily life, forcing reliance on friends for essentials.

Advocacy groups are calling for the state government to intervene, permanently close the mine, and utilize rehabilitation bonds. They emphasize that landowners like Goodwin should have reliable access to towns for groceries, especially given her health issues. The Queensland Land Access Code mandates that mining lease holders maintain access roads, a requirement currently unmet.