The Traditional Owners and residents of the Watsonville area of Far North Queensland have had their water security compromised, as a result of operations undertaken at the Baal Gaamon mine since 2012.

Mismanagement of this site has led to toxic run off flowing into Jamie Creek, a tributary to the Walsh River, which in turn is connected to the Mitchell River water catchment, one of the largest in Queensland. In the past this runoff has contained dangerously high levels of Arsenic, Cadmium and other dangerous contaminants, which has resulted in large scale fish kills, huge amounts of sediment & extensive algal blooms, in both Jamie Creek and the Walsh river. Consequently, many residents relying on this water system have not been able to drink from or even swim in their local river system for extended periods of time.

We stand united as a community in our appeal to local government (Shane Knuth MP) and Queensland State government (Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk), to finally fix this ongoing environmental disaster, by allocating sufficient funding necessary to rehabilitate the Baal Gaamon mine site. There needs to be a concrete and transparent plan to protect and ensure the continuity of life in the ecosystems of the Walsh river and associated tributaries. These works should include (but are not limited to) the capping of all holding dams, regeneration of native plant species, and restocking of local fish population in the Walsh River.

Please help by taking the time to sign and share our petition. You can also help raise the profile of this cause by making a donation to our Gofundme page:

Click here to donate to Save the Walsh

Our river and our community thanks you all for your continued support!