Lock the Gate Alliance has today described Adani’s decision to move some machinery to its Carmichael mine site in Central Queensland as a PR stunt, with several significant environmental approvals and court challenges outstanding.
Lock the Gate spokesperson Carmel Flint said the mining giant still did not have approval for its Black-throated Finch and Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems management plans.
“This is an arrogant attempt by Adani to bully the Queensland Government and ram through these management plans,” she said.
“The Queensland Government needs to stand firm and let its decision be determined by the best available science, not Adani’s bullying tactics.
“We’re calling on the government to ensure that research recommended by experts as part of the Bioregional Assessment is now required - including seismic surveys and deep water bores.
“There are grave concerns that if this mine were to be allowed to proceed, the drawdown on more than 180 Great Artesian Basin spring wetlands could be catastrophic.
“These springs form ancient oases in a very dry landscape, and it would be incredibly reckless to put them at risk by letting Adani shortcut on the science needed” she said.
Adani’s latest stunt comes after it was revealed the CSIRO found serious flaws in Adani's draft water management plan for the Carmichael coal mine.
“Community groups like Lock the Gate will continue to oppose this water hungry polluting coal project,” Ms Flint said.
“At a time when Queensland is still largely in drought and recovering from climate change-driven heatwaves and bushfires, the last project we need to be approved is a dirty great coal mine.”