Towoomba

By Diet Simon and Mark Rodriquez

Queensland's Labor government, one of the biggest backers of coal mining, is calling for public submissions to protect strategic cropping land now under threat from mining.

It is prioritising the fertile country of the Darling Downs around Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley, closer to Brisbane.

But now an Independent MP, Peter Wellington, who holds the Sunshine Coast hinterland seat of Nicklin that covers Nambour, Yandina, Bli Bli, Woombye, Palmwoods and Eudlo, has sprung a surprise on the government.