Court overturns Carmichael mine approval

ENVIRONMENTALISTS have won a court case putting another roadblock in front of the controversial Carmichael coal mine in Queensland’s Galilee Basin.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt’s approval was ruled invalid.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS say they have won a court case which puts another roadblock in front of the controversial Carmichael coal mine in Queensland’s Galilee Basin.

The Mackay Conservation Group says the Federal Court has ruled Environment Minister Greg Hunt’s approval was invalid after the minister conceded to the Court that he failed to properly assess the project.

In a statement Adani said the “technical legal error” from Minister Hunt’s office meant he would now have to reconsider their application.

AAP has sought access to the court documents.

Comment is being sought from Mr Hunt.

The $16.5 billion mine would have been the biggest in Australian history.

Minister Hunt granted approval to the project last July, but the Mackay Conservation Group (MCG) argued in court that he incorrectly assessed its climate effects, ignored Adani’s poor environmental record, and failed to consider conservation advice from his own department on the impact of the mine on two vulnerable species.

“This Federal Court decision to throw out Minister Hunt’s approval is a victory for land and water, biodiversity, the global climate and also for common sense,” MCG’s co-ordinator Ellen Roberts said.

“We call now on Minister Hunt to see sense, honour his obligations, and take the opportunity to reject this disastrous project once and for all.”

Environment Minister Greg Hunt’s approval was ruled invalid.

The Environmental Legal Centre’s Sue Higginson, who represented the MCG, said the decision meant the mine could not legally operate until fresh approval was granted.

Adani said the need to finalise the approvals process was “critical” but that it was confident it would be again pushed through.

“Adani is confident the conditions imposed on the existing approval are robust and appropriate once the technicality is addressed,” the statement read.

Queensland’s State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said it was a matter for the Federal Government to resolve.

“We are extremely disappointed that there’s been this delay to Adani in the Galilee basin,” Dr Lynham said.

“We ask the Federal Government to sort this out as quickly as possible.” Dr Lynham said he saw the incident as a speed bump, rather than a death knell for the project.

“We’d like to see not much of a delay,” he said.

“Adani still has its eyes firmly on the Galilee Basin and the Carmichael project.” Dr Lynham said the state wouldn’t provide funding for the project, but didn’t rule out other incentives.

Originally published as Court overturns Carmichael mine approval