Lock the Gate Alliance has condemned the Queensland Government’s approval of Adani’s deeply flawed Carmichael coal mine Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Management Plan.
Central Queensland grazier Bruce Currie, whose groundwater will be put at significant risk should the mine be built, said it was a kick in the teeth for all primary producers operating in the Galilee Basin.
The decision also comes at a time when 65 per cent of Queensland is drought declared.
“State and Federal politicians have ignored the scientists and pleas of farmers who are acutely aware of how much damage Adani’s mine will have on vital underground water resources, including the Great Artesian Basin,” Mr Currie said.
“We are sacrificing sustainable grazing land to greedy multinational mining companies so they can rip our resources out of the earth, and sell it overseas.
“Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s rhetoric about supporting people in the bush means nothing if her government ignores farmers and scientists to rush through politically inconvenient and environmentally destructive projects like Adani.
“If this mine is built, there will be increased problems for the government as Adani will cause more catastrophes impacting farmers and the environment that so easily could have been avoided.”
Lock the Gate Alliance Queensland spokesperson Ellie Smith said Adani’s GDEMP was approved despite criticism from independent scientists and concerns over a lack of information from the CSIRO.
She said there had been clear political interference, and the scientific evidence showed there would be serious damage to underground water systems and unique Great Artesian Basin spring wetlands.
“CSIRO’s previous assessment of Adani’s water plan was scathing. It said Adani’s modeling was not fit for purpose, and contained many errors and unreasonable assumptions. CSIRO warned this plan would fail to protect QLD’s precious water resources,” she said.
“Adani has also demonstrated through multiple failed attempts at its water plan that it has no idea where the source aquifer is for the ancient and unique Doongmabulla desert springs.
“Scientists are deeply concerned that these springs will dry up should the Carmichael coal mine be built.
“The Queensland community expected the Palaszczuk government to follow the law and science, not cave in to undue pressure from Adani.
“Adani has broken Queensland laws and has shown it can’t be trusted. It was only this year fined for allowing the release of coal laden water into the Caley Valley Wetlands on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef.”
