Queensland Government rejects mine to protect Reef

April 28, 2021

According to the Australian Marine Conservation Society, the Queensland government has made the right decision for the Great Barrier Reef, the climate and local communities by deeming a proposed Clive Palmer-owned coal mine just 10 kilometres from the World Heritage area as ‘not suitable’.

Their assessment, released today, shows the Queensland Department of Environment and Science has listened to advice from expert scientists and the wishes of the community to reject the mine and protect the Reef from climate change and pollution.

The Department cited “a number of significant risks, due to its location, particularly its proximity to important environmental values, including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area” in its assessment that the project should not receive environmental approval.

The Central Queensland Coal project, located between Rockhampton and Mackay, will now go to Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley for consideration. She will have 30 business days to approve or reject the project.

AMCS Great Barrier Reef campaigner David Cazzulino notes “we are relieved the Queensland Department of Environment and Science has listened to the warnings from expert scientists that building a huge open cut coal mine so close to our Reef would cause serious and irreversible damage to a variety of important habitats, including important turtle and dugong strongholds.

“Federal government appointed experts warned that they ‘cannot envisage any feasible mitigation measures, including offsets, that could safeguard these irreplaceable and internationally significant ecological assets’.

“We urge Minister Ley to listen to her Government’s own expert scientists, and to the community, and reject this disastrous mine for the sake of our beautiful Reef.”

The decision comes amid strong community opposition to the mine. Hundreds attended protests in Mackay, Yeppoon and Brisbane recently, and more than 12,000 people have signed a petition calling for the mine to be rejected.

AMCS and other organisations, including Lock The Gate, Capricornia Conservation Council and Mackay Conservation Group will continue to fight for the project to be rejected.

22nd April 2021 - Community members urge Queensland Government to reject Palmer mine proposal

16th April 2021 - Australian Marine Conservation Society calls on politicians to stop ignoring climate change

27th February 2021 - Australian Marine Conservation Society decries Queensland government’s decision to move forward with Palmer mine proposal

9th December 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society highlights new Federal laws banning plastic waste won’t save wildlife

9th October 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society claims Reef Inquiry confirms what was already known

1st October 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society welcomes Queensland’s new reforms for shark finning

8th September 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society welcomes Federal Government intervention into protecting Great Barrier Reef wildlife

14th August 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society claims ACT Government is delaying comprehensive single use plastic legislation

25th May 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society would welcome additional support for reef tourism sector

11th March 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society highlights endangered shark facing extinction

28th February 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society calls for a Reef-safe climate policy

14th December 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society condemns NSW Government for slashing endangered shark protection

7th November 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society welcomes Queensland government proposal to ban single-use plastics

18th September 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society condemns inquiry into Reef Science

1st July 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society calls for protection of whales against renewed Japanese hunting

23rd May 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society responds to Queensland’s Adani Announcement

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