Community welcomes the rejection of the Central Queensland Coal mine

Today Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has confirmed that the Clive Palmer-owned coal mine 10km from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area has been rejected. 

The community has resoundingly welcomed the refusal of this coal project and is now calling on the Minister to refuse all the other Central Queensland coal proposals awaiting her decision. 

Dr Coral Rowston, Director of Environment Advocacy in Central Queensland said, “This is a victory for the Reef, for communities that depend on the Reef and wetlands for their livelihoods, and for the climate.

“It is a relief that the Environment Minister has listened to the scientists, the Queensland government and the community, and finally rejected this ludicrous coal mine.

“The tourism industry, fishing industry, Styx catchment landholders and many of us in the community wrote submissions, signed petitions, attended rallies and met with government officers and ministers to make sure that the decision-makers knew that the community values the reef, wetlands, endangered species and groundwater far more than a coal mine. 

“We also argued that 200 coal jobs does not compare to the many thousands of tourism, fisheries and agricultural jobs reliant on a healthy reef, wetland and clean water.

“Pollution from this project would have directly impacted the Reef and threatened the Broad Sound Wetland and Fish Habitat Area.  The mine would have also destroyed important koala and greater glider habitat, and directly led to the deaths of many dolphins and dugongs who rely on the Broad Sound to feed. 

“If Minister Plibersek is serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the Reef and preventing further extinctions, it can’t be the last coal project to be rejected. Leaving coal in the ground is a big part of the solution to slow climate change and give our Reef and wildlife a fighting chance.

“Mining and burning coal is fuelling climate change. No government that is serious about reducing emissions and minimising the catastrophic consequences of climate change can defend and approve new fossil fuel projects”, said Dr Rowston.