Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek intends to block billionaire Clive Palmer’s open cut thermal and coking coal mine as it would likely have “unacceptable impacts” on the Great Barrier Reef and waterways.

The minister has opened a 10-day consultation period to seek feedback on her intended decision to stop the Central Queensland coal project, 130 kilometres north-west of Rockhampton and 10 kilometres from the coast of the Great Barrier Reef.