Peak Downs powerline project ‘premature’ ahead of mine expansion decision

Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland (EnvA) has called for the proposed Peak Downs Mine Power Line Realignment Project to be refused, warning it is directly tied to the proposed Peak Downs Mine Continuation Project and would result in further loss of critical habitat for threatened species in an already heavily cleared region.

The proposal would clear over 80 ha of land to realign three powerlines to allow the expansion of the Peak Downs coal mine. The project would directly impact habitat nationally listed threatened species and ecological communities, including koalas, greater gliders, squatter pigeons, ornamental snakes, brigalow and threatened natural grasslands.

EnvA says the powerline relocation is not a standalone project, but a necessary component of the proposed Peak Downs Mine Continuation Project, which is still under assessment.

EnvA Director Dr Coral Rowston said the project should not be considered separately from the much larger mine expansion.

“This project only exists to support the continuation and expansion of the Peak Downs Mine. It should not be assessed in isolation from the much larger continuation project.”

EnvA warned that assessing the powerline realignment separately risks understating the true cumulative environmental impacts of the broader mine expansion.

“The realignment would facilitate continued mining into a further 4,000 ha of land adjacent to the current Peak Downs mine.

“Without the continuation project being approved, there would be no need to relocate the powerlines. We are asking that these projects either be considered together, or that no decision is made on the powerline relocation until a decision is made on the Peak Downs Continuation Project.

“That decision won’t be made for some time, as BMA has not yet submitted an Environmental Impact Statement for the continuation project,” Dr Rowston said.

EnvA also raised concerns about the loss of threatened species habitat in a region where nearly 80% of native vegetation has already been cleared in the Isaac–Comet Downs subregion.

“Every remaining hectare of threatened species habitat in this region is now critical, particularly given the cumulative impacts from multiple coal mine expansions across the Bowen Basin.”

EnvA also criticised the proposed biodiversity offset, located approximately 80 kilometres from the project area, arguing it would not replace lost habitat or deliver a genuine conservation gain.

“The proposed offset would only marginally improve habitat that already supports threatened species. It does not create new habitat or meaningfully improve long-term viability,” Dr Rowston said.

Given the project’s reliance on the Peak Downs Mine Continuation Project, the cumulative habitat loss and the inadequate offset proposal, EnvA says the powerline realignment should be refused.

“This project is a clear example of incremental expansion. When considered alongside the proposed continuation project, the impacts are unacceptable and should not be approved.”