For the first time in Australian history, a federal environment minister has set the wheels in motion to reject a coal mine.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has proposed rejecting Clive Palmer’s Central Queensland coal project because it is likely to damage the Great Barrier Reef.
The decision remains a “proposal” because a final decision can only be made after 10 days of further consultation, including public comment. But given the wide range of reasons mentioned by the minister, it is unlikely to be approved.
The planned mining site is just 10 kilometers from the Great Barrier Reef, near Rockhampton, and is likely to have contributed to ocean pollution, the minister said.
“Based on the information available at this stage, I believe the project would likely have unacceptable impacts on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the values of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage and National Heritage Area,” said Mrs. Plibersek said.
The coal mine site proposed by Clive Palmer is just 10 kilometers from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. (ABC News)
The decision was also based on potential impacts on local water resources.
While it is the first time a federal environment minister has proposed rejecting an application to develop a coal mine, the Queensland government recommended rejection last year.
The move was announced on the same day the government passed the climate bill in the lower house, with support from the crossbench, including the Greens.
The Greens have been pushing the government to reject all coal and gas projects, while the government has said it will approve environmentally sound ones.
“There’s one now and 113 to go. There’s 114 of those projects going,” Greens leader Adam Bandt said.
The Greens have also been pushing for a “climate trigger” that would require the potential impacts of coal and gas projects on climate change to be considered by the environment minister. As it stands, the potential climate change impact of this mine was not considered in the approval process.
Conservationists and campaigners happy minister ‘heeded warnings’
The preliminary decision was applauded by conservationists and climate activists.
“This is the right proposed decision for the Great Barrier Reef from the Environment Minister,” said Cherry Muddle of the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
“We are pleased that he has heeded the warnings of government-appointed and independent scientists, as well as the Queensland Government who said the mine was not ‘fit’ to continue in April 2021.
“Following the fourth mass bleaching event on the reef since 2016, it is vital that new coal and gas projects like this are rejected. It shows the government is serious about saving the reef and tackling the issues that threaten him”.
Queensland’s environment department deemed Clive Palmer’s project “unfit” to proceed last year. (Facebook: Great Barrier Reef Legacy/File Photo)
The proposed project included two open pits north of Rockhampton over an area of more than 2,660 hectares.
Detailed reasons for the proposed decision have not yet been released, but include impacts on a World Heritage Area and aquatic resources. The project’s potential impacts on threatened species were not listed as a reason for rejection.
The public has 10 days to comment on the proposed decision.
Palmer’s company, Central Queensland Coal, was unavailable for comment.
The Queensland government concluded in 2021 that the mine would generate royalties for the state of between $703 million and $766 million in total.