Queensland Conservation Council takes Lake Vermont Coal Mine to Land Court on climate grounds

The Queensland Conservation Council has lodged an objection with the Queensland Land Court (PDF 578k), calling for a recent application for a Bowen Basin coal mine to be refused, due to the proposed project’s environmental impacts, including its contribution to climate change.

The Lake Vermont Meadowbrook Project proposes an extension to the existing Lake Vermont coal mine. The proponent is Bowen Basin Coal Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Jellinbah Group.

According to the proponent’s Environmental Impact Assessment, this project could:

• Pollute at a minimum, 35,000,000 tonnes CO2-e Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, and 313,000,000 CO2-e Scope 3 emissions. This is in addition to the estimated 12,400,000 CO2-e which will still be released from the existing mine
• Clear over 100 hectares of endangered Koala and Greater Glider habitat, and over 200 hectares of Ornamental Snake habitat
• Have downstream risks to the Fitzroy Basin and Great Barrier Reef catchments

Queensland’s peak environment body, represented by Ninox Law, alleges that the proposal fails to appropriately deal with the environmental impacts of the project, including greenhouse gas emissions which put Queenslanders at risk by undermining emissions targets, and impacts to water and habitat.

Director of Queensland Conservation Council, Dave Copeman, said

We are proudly taking this action to protect Queensland communities, water and critical habitats.

Queenslanders are already facing more severe and frequent unnatural disasters thanks to the fossil fuel industry. We believe this project will further exacerbate the climate crisis and have unacceptable impacts on nature and our communities.

This mine would destroy over 100 hectares of koala and greater glider habitat. The greater glider is also extremely vulnerable to climate change. We need to be focusing on restoring and protecting nature from the impacts of climate change, not fighting to stop habitat being bulldozed for coal.

With the Great Barrier Reef facing the worst mass bleaching on record, the last thing we need is a coal mine that risks polluting the Fitzroy Basin and Reef catchments. This project threatens not just local ecosystems, but one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders.

With this action, we are holding the Queensland Government accountable to keep communities safe by ensuring its decisions follow the science, adhere to our climate targets, protect nature, and keep Queenslanders safe.

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