Mining on Stradbroke Island

I don't understand why it is so difficult for the State government to stop sand mining in this beautiful island, the 2nd biggest sand island in the world. Why the state government insists to renew expired mining leases on land earmarked to become national park in next year, i e. 2011?

Greens push for Stradbroke Island mining ban (July 26, 2010, Brisbane Times)

Greens Senate candidate Larissa Waters: Long phase-out timetable would not properly protect old growth forest. Photo: Michelle Smith
The Australian Greens have called on the federal government to ban mining on Stradbroke Island, southeast of Brisbane.

However, the Queensland government today was sticking by its plan to phase out the island's 50-year-old mining industry over the next 17 years.
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Greens call for Straddie mining ban

The Australian Greens have called for the federal government to step in and ban sand mining on Stradbroke Island.

This follows a state government deal to extend mining until 2027 on already expired leases at the island's largest mine.
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Greens call for federal intervention to ban mining on Stradbroke Island
The Australian Greens have called for the federal government to step in and ban mining on Stradbroke Island after the state government's dirty deal to extend mining until 2027 on already expired leases at the Island's largest mine.

“The federal government should act to protect the old growth forest, ancient sand dunes and koalas of the second largest sand island in the world, because the state government has totally failed to do so,” said Australian Greens lead Senate candidate for Queensland, environmental lawyer Larissa Waters, who flew over the Enterprise mine site today.

“It's no coincidence that Premier Bligh's 2027 end date for mining is exactly the year the miners told the ASX that Enterprise mine would run out of minerals. She has given the miners exactly what they want, and will even change state laws to enable renewal of Joh-era mining leases that expired nearly three years ago.