YOUR correspondent, Andrew Williams, (NDL August 7, 2008) is on to something when he suggests that “It’s about time farmers and graziers did collude with the Greens and started caring for our whole amazing environment.”

Having perused the latest BHP Billiton interim report to stakeholders, it seems as if BHP is seeking to assure landholders that the underground aquifers are safe and that “targeted exploration” is now focussed on the ridge country, and the Doona State Forest in

particular.

With this forest being one of the very few native forests left on the Liverpool Plains, this targeting raises serious concerns with

conservationists.

Some native wildlife habitat is almost certain to be lost.

Coupled with the human-induced climate change this could be disastrous for native wildlife.

Having already seen the massive destruction and total removal of large parts of the Leard State Forest to make way for open-cut coal mining, a stand must now be taken for the environment.

Talking of climate change, I also agree with Mr Williams when he asks “Why on earth are we exporting such a polluting substance to a country hell-bent on ‘progress’?”

I agree, it’s time to call a halt.

Elsewhere in your paper we read of another coal company, a Chinese one this time, offering $600 million to explore for coal on the Watermark lease near Gunnedah.

The Nationals MLC, Trevor Khan, gives details of how we could spend the money if the lease was granted.

He should join with the Greens’ Lee Rhiannon and “call for a complete rejection of any mining in the area”.

If we are to be serious about climate change we must stop burning coal in our power stations, keep the coal underground and not export it to other polluting countries.

We must do this for the sake of our children and grandchildren’s future.

Ron Webster

TAMWORTH