Lock the Gate Alliance has warmly welcomed a Queensland Government decision to list the Clive Palmer owned Central Queensland Coal Project as “not suitable to proceed”.
The Environment Department recommendation was made as part of the assessment of the company’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). (Page 156 of EIS Assessment Report)
In its determination, the Environment Department stated that:
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“the project presents a number of unacceptable risks that cannot be adequately managed or avoided, due primarily to the location of the project, but also in part to the lack of effective mitigation measures proposed in the EIS.
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a number of significant risks to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the National Heritage Place have not been adequately addressed”.
It is believed to be the first time in Queensland history that the department has recommended rejection a coal mine at this stage of the assessment process.
The proposal, along with the department’s recommendation, will now go on to the Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley for assessment.
The original proposal was heavily criticised in an unusually withering assessment by the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development (IESC).
Lock the Gate Alliance Queensland spokesperson Ellie Smith said it was clear from the beginning that this proposal was just too destructive to even be considered.
“This atrocious coal mine proposal would have wreaked havoc on the Reef and nearby coastal habitats, destroyed farmland, and bulldozed habitat for threatened species,” she said.
“We thank the department for following the scientific advice and rejecting this mine.
“It was frankly difficult to believe a company could even think such a mine so close to the Reef would ever be accepted by the Queensland public.
“Our Reef is far too precious and vulnerable to be put at risk like Mr Palmer planned, particularly when the world is well and truly turning its back on coal in favour of cheaper, more efficient renewable energy projects.
“Sussan Ley must now heed the advice from the Queensland Environment Department and reject Clive Palmer’s proposal once and for all.”
ENDS