Clive Palmer-owned coal mine rejected due to unacceptable impacts on Reef, water
In a massive win for the community, environment and Reef, today the Queensland Department of Environment and Science has recommended the Clive Palmer-owned proposed Central Queensland Coal Project does not proceed due to unacceptable impacts on the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage Area, the Styx River Estuary, water sources, and the Broad Sound Fish Habitat.
The Assessment Report released by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science is the first time a new coal mine has been recommended not to proceed in Queensland:
"Taking into account all of the relevant information, I have determined that overall, the project poses a number of unacceptable risks and that the project, as proposed, is not suitable. As such, I consider that the project is not suitable to proceed."
This decision follows the Federal Government's Independent Expert Scientific Committee's damning assessment of the project. The project will now be assessed by the Federal Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley.
The local community is calling on Minister Ley to follow the advice of the Independent Expert Scientific Committee, the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, and the wishes of locals to reject the Clive Palmer-owned Central Queensland Coal Project.
Sabrina Burke, Yeppoon local and coordinator of Land Care, said, "I'm thrilled to hear the news that the Central Queensland Coal Project has been recommended not to proceed and want to thank the Queensland Department and Environment Minister Scanlon.
"It is important that the long-term impacts of this senseless mine are also considered by the Federal Minister Sussan Ley and that she follows the recommendation of expert scientists and refuses this proposed coal mine.
"We are excited with new jobs that will be created in Central Queensland by renewable energy projects without the need for a new coal mine beside the Styx River and Great Barrier Reef."
Dr Coral Rowston, coordinator at Capricorn Conservation Council said, "This is a win for locals who came together, just weeks ago, to oppose this project and call for the protection of the Reef. This is the first time the Queensland Government has ever said a new coal mine 'is not suitable to proceed' because of impacts to the Reef. The Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley must now listen to scientists and the community and reject Clive Palmer's Reef-wrecking coal mine."
Sunny Hungerford, Campaign Manager at Mackay Conservation Group said, "Today the Queensland Government has made the responsible decision in following the expert scientific advice to reject Clive Palmer-owned Central Queensland Coal mine, protecting our Great Barrier Reef and local ecosystems like Broad Sound from destruction.
"The Federal Environment Minister Susan Ley must now adopt this recommendation from the Queensland Government and reject this destructive coal mine for good."
