Safer Walking Tracks for Conondale

Visitors to Conondale National Park on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland will benefit from improved safety along walking tracks with more than 20 old mine shafts and entrances to be backfilled.

Assistant Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Seath Holswich said the Newman Government committed at the 2012 election to support and grow the tourism and resources industries as part Queensland’s four pillar economy.

“We have a strong plan for Queensland and the Abandoned Mines Unit is working to deliver a brighter and safer future for regional Queensland by ensuring the safe remediation of mine shafts,” Mr Holswich said.

“By remediating these mine shafts we can ensure the national park remains a safe and enjoyable tourist attraction.”

Mr Holswich said the Abandoned Mines Unit of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines would supervise the shaft remediation project in consultation with the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service.

“There are 23 historic mine shafts at seven sites within the national park, with some as deep as 10 metres,” he said.

“These sites will be remediated to remove any potential safety risks to the public.”

Member for Glass House Andrew Powell said the region had a long mining history, with gold mined in the area from the 1860s.

“Alluvial gold was first worked from Jimna and Sunday Creeks in the area that is now Conondale National Park,” Mr Powell said.

“Workings extended approximately six kilometres westwards from the headwaters of Jimna Creek.

“With the gradual exhaustion of alluvial gold, quartz reef mining contributed more prominently to the output.”

The Conondale shaft remediation work commenced last week and will take around two weeks to complete.

More information on the management of Queensland’s abandoned mines is available atwww.dnrm.qld.gov.au.