Queensland’s proposed mining law changes could restrict community access to the Land Court, weakening an important safeguard for environmental accountability. EnvA’s experience shows independent scrutiny can strengthen environmental conditions, test evidence and improve mining proposals—even when projects ultimately proceed.
Category Archives: climate change
Coppabella Land Court challenge highlights value of public scrutiny
The Coppabella coal mine legal case demonstrates why Queenslanders need a meaningful right to challenge mining approvals. Land Court scrutiny resulted in stronger environmental requirements and highlighted issues including groundwater, biodiversity, rehabilitation and Aboriginal input into post-mining outcomes.
EnvA urges Federal Government to reject Ensham coal mine extension
Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland is urging the Federal Government to reject a proposed nine-year extension of the Ensham coal mine, citing risks to threatened species, water resources and climate, and calling for rigorous assessment of cumulative environmental impacts.
Land Court recommends Lake Vermont mine extension despite environmental and climate concerns
The Queensland Land Court has recommended approval of the Lake Vermont Meadowbrook coal mine extension for another 20 years. EnvA says stronger environmental conditions resulting from the Court process are important, but significant climate, habitat and water concerns remain.
Australia can’t cut emissions while giving coal and gas room to grow
Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland is calling for stronger emissions reductions from the coal and gas industry, warning that new and expanding fossil fuel projects should not be allowed to increase emissions while communities and other industries carry the burden of climate action.
Albanese Government approves another 30 years of coal as climate crisis worsens
EnvA is deeply disappointed by approval of another 30 years of coal mining at Saraji. More coal means more pollution, habitat destruction and pressure on waterways. Australia cannot claim climate leadership while continuing to approve projects that make the climate crisis worse.
Coal and gas can’t keep expanding while Australians carry the climate burden
EnvA is calling for stronger action to reduce emissions from Australia’s coal and gas sector, warning that continued fossil fuel expansion could undermine the nation’s 2035 emissions reduction target. EnvA is calling for stronger Safeguard Mechanism requirements, greater onsite emissions reductions, tighter limits on carbon credits and improved transparency around emissions.
EnvA questions the need for another Lake Vermont coal mine expansion
Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland has called on the Federal Government to refuse the proposed Lake Vermont Mockingbird Metallurgical Coal Project, arguing the proponent has failed to justify why another major mine expansion is needed when a separate project is already proposed to extend the life of the existing mine.
Linked coal mine proposals threaten Central Queensland’s environment
EnvA has called on the Federal Environment Minister to assess the linked Moranbah North and Grosvenor coal mine referrals together, warning that separate assessments risk understating their combined impacts on threatened species, water resources and greenhouse gas emissions. Coal extraction proposals must undergo rigorous environmental assessment.
Community group says Centurion LNG proposal is premature
EnvA has called for the proposed Centurion LNG Facility to be refused or deferred, arguing it is premature to approve infrastructure that depends on the proposed Centurion North Coal Development before that project has completed its State and Commonwealth environmental assessment.
