The Central Queensland community came together to celebrate Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek decision to refuse the Clive Palmer-owned coal mine Central Queensland Coal proposal on the weekend.
The mine was proposed to be just 10km from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and was going to directly impact on critically important environmental resources. Pollution from this project would have directly impacted the Reef and the Broad Sound Wetlands and Fish Habitat Area. The mine would have also destroyed important koala and greater glider habitat, and directly led to the deaths of many dolphins and dugongs who rely on the Broad Sound to feed.
Capricorn Conservation Council and Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland have both been campaigning against this mine for years and invited our members and supporters to celebrate this land-mark decision.
Dr Coral Rowston, Director of Environment Advocacy in Central Queensland said, “This is a victory for the Reef, for communities that depend on the Reef and wetlands for their livelihoods, and for the climate.
“It is a relief that the Environment Minister has listened to the scientists, the Queensland government and the community, and finally rejected this ludicrous coal mine.
“The tourism industry, fishing industry, Styx catchment landholders and many of us in the community wrote submissions, signed petitions, attended rallies and met with government officers and ministers to make sure that the decision-makers knew that the community values the reef, wetlands, endangered species and groundwater far more than a coal mine.
“About 30 people turned out to an event to say thank you to the Environment Minister. They knew it was an easy mine to refuse due to it’s proximity to the Reef but also called for more action to protect the Reef from climate change”, said Dr Rowston.
Sophie George, Coordinator of Capricorn Conservation Council said, “it was great to see so many of our community come to celebrate this decision.
“The proposed mine site is in a beautiful part of Central Queensland. It is the home to our iconic and endangered koala and greater glider, just upstream from wetlands that support many migratory and endangered birds, and very close to Central Queensland’s only dugong protection area.
“CCC is just so pleased that these important environmental assets have been protected”, said Ms George.
– Dr Coral Rowston, Director of Environment Advocacy in Central Queensland