"Serious concerns" around fast tracking new underground coal mine, putting Reef and economy at risk

The state's peak environment body has raised serious concerns about the State Government's intention to "fast track" two new Queensland mines, including the Corvus Metallurgical Coal Project which would produce up to 10.5 million tonnes of raw coal annually over a 25-year life span.

While yesterday's announcement that the underground coal mine would be declared a controlled project by Queensland's Coordinator General is not unusual, any new coal project does not make economic sense and will continue to push our climate beyond safe levels, putting at risk the iconic Great Barrier Reef, which supports 70,000 jobs in the state.

Queensland Conservation Council Acting Director Anthony Gough said

The Queensland Government is backing new coal projects just as the market moves away from coal.

Federal Treasury forecasts show fossil fuel export earnings are set to plummet by 50% over the next five years, so the long-term case for projects like Corvus is already on shaky ground.

At the same time, the Corvus mine locks in decades of additional emissions, adding to the climate damage Queensland is already dealing with, from worsening floods to growing pressure on the Great Barrier Reef, when the priority should be cutting emissions, not expanding them.

The science clearly demonstrates that we cannot extract more coal, gas or oil if we want to save the Great Barrier Reef. Any additional fossil fuels extracted and burnt increases the already dire risk to the Great Barrier Reef and the 70,000 jobs it supports.

For local communities, this project means pressure on Fitzroy Basin water resources and more productive farmland being taken up by mining.

The massive disruption in fossil fuel markets from the Iran War clearly shows that we cannot rely on coal, oil and gas for our own economic and energy security.

Rather than doubling down on the problem, the Queensland Government should invest in a futureproof economy based on renewable energy backed by storage.

What's missing from the Queensland Government is a clear vision for a safer, reliable energy economy based on renewables, and a plan to support regional workers and communities through that transition.

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