tony bourke on lateline, page-13

Darhut,

I agree with you 100% with your comments.

I have always been with the idea that proper consultation should take place, and priority given, between the farmer that is going to be effected by the Company, and the Management itself. Unfortunately this is not and never has been the case, with companies sending out their third parties scouts, or specialist cons to try and convince the farmers to give in. And some of them, due to banks pressure and other causes too numerous to mention, they may give in while regretting at a later stage, what they did in the first place. Some others don't even fully realise what they have get themselves into by signing a document that in their opinion was just for access and harmless.

One more thing Darhut, and that is that some of the farmers I am talking about, I am sure that they don't want anyone on their lands and to interfere with their daily operations. Their lands is so good and fertile with huge amounts of underground acquifers, that they would be mad to accept any changes. Especially if there are going to be risks of damaging those acquifers.
Once we have caused, or will allow to cause some damages to that resourse, it will be too late to go back and rectify the problems. Hence why, IMO, there is a moratorium while determining that some lands may be off limits for mining companies.

We have to look at the future and what is in store for our future generations. Not what is good for us in the very short term, and only for a short term gain.

Cheers, and thanks for your well balanced post.

Now, and in regard to BOW, will we get a better offer on the table from a third party? IMO I do believe that it is going to be the case. Only time will tell now.