Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland (EnvA) has called on the Federal Environment Minister to refuse the proposed Gemini Rail Loop Project, arguing the referral fails to properly assess impacts on threatened wildlife and forms part of a larger coal mining development that has been artificially split into separate projects.
In its submission to the Australian Government, EnvA says the rail loop cannot be considered in isolation. The organisation argues it is one component of the broader Gemini Coal Mine development and should be assessed alongside the existing mine and the proposed mine extension.
EnvA says assessing each component separately risks underestimating the true environmental impacts and undermines the intent of Australia’s national environmental laws.
The submission also raises concerns that the referral relies on outdated ecological surveys, provides insufficient information about impacts on threatened species, and fails to adequately explain how biodiversity losses would be avoided or offset.
Particular concern has been expressed about impacts on nationally listed threatened species, including the endangered Bridled Nailtail Wallaby and Greater Glider, as well as other threatened species and ecological communities located within and surrounding the project area.
EnvA also questions the Proponent’s reliance on a 15-year-old referral decision made for a different company and a different project, noting previous advice from the Department that such a decision cannot simply be transferred to a new proponent.
EnvA Director Dr Coral Rowston said the community expects national environmental laws to assess the full impact of major coal developments rather than allowing projects to be divided into smaller components.
“This rail loop exists for one purpose—to transport coal from the Gemini Coal Mine. It should be assessed as part of the broader mining development, not as an isolated piece of infrastructure.”
“This is the third referral associated with the Gemini Coal Mine . Taken together, they demonstrate a pattern of project splitting to avoid proper scrutiny.
“Threatened species don’t experience projects in separate approval stages. They experience the cumulative loss and fragmentation of habitat.
“The referral simply does not provide enough information to demonstrate that nationally protected species and ecological communities can be protected.”
EnvA is calling on the Minister to refuse the referral. If the proposal proceeds, the organisation says it should be declared a controlled action and assessed through a full Environmental Impact Statement that considers the cumulative impacts of the entire Gemini mining development.
EnvA - CQ 