The Teresa Coal Project, north of Emerald
- This project would lead to the loss of 2,781ha of rain-fed cropping land.
- Subsidence modelling predicts that the mine will cause depressions of up to 2.4 metres, with the north section of the mine area, supporting the highest quality cropping land, experiencing the worst predicted subsidence.
- According to local knowledge, Theresa Creek has a volatile history of sudden and severe flooding and alterations to the surrounding landscape can cause significant unforeseen and detrimental impacts. The assessment provided by the company of these flooding impacts has been described by a local farmer as “incompetent.”
- No impacts of health problems that could occur from elevated coal dust exposure have been discussed or modelled, although the EIS indicates that statutory air quality standards will be breached by this mine.
- As the proposed workforce will be predominately fly-in-fly-out, the social and economic impacts will be profound. The proponent acknowledges that “during community consultation, it was identified that behaviour of the non-resident workforce and its impact on community values is a concern for the local community” including trespass, theft, illegal hunting, violence, anti-social behaviour and drug and alcohol abuse.
- The assessment of the economics of the project fails to describe the existing economic environment in the Central Queensland cropping and pastoral district where the impacts will occur, or the considerable contribution that this district makes to the regional economy.
- To the south-west of the project area, some landholders will experience 5.7m drawdown of groundwater as a result of the mine. Eight groundwater springs are predicted to dry up because of a 3.2m drawdown.
More information on the Government assessment process here [EHP],
More information from the company here [New Emerald Coal/Linc Energy].