Isaac Regional Council files lawsuit against mining giant Bravus
Tensions have flared between a regional council in the heart of mining country and a global giant over a 96km stretch of road. DETAILS
Mackay
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Tensions have flared between a regional council in the heart of mining country and a global giant over a 96km stretch of road into its mega coal operations in the Galilee Basin.
Isaac Regional Council filed proceedings in the supreme court on Monday, December 18 said the road network is a “vital connection for rural residents, as well as suppliers and workers” and has alleged Bravus, formerly Adani, has failed to meet agreed infrastructure obligations after four years.
But the Carmichael mine operator has argued the council keeps moving the goalpost.
The 96km on Elgin Rd and Moray-Carmichael Boundary Rd, also known as the Mine Access Rd, services the Carmichael mine, which is tipped to produce 10m tonnes of coal yearly once fully operational.
The council made an agreement with Bravus in 2019 that the company would take responsibility for the upgrades and maintenance of roads impacted by their operation, with a deadline set for 2022 – it was not met.
It was previously reported construction began in mid 2022 with the project to upgrade the road from unsealed to sealed asphalt, as well as new stormwater drainage culverts, road furniture and cattle grids to be installed.
“(We are) determined to ensure mining companies uphold their commitments to ratepayers,” a council spokeswoman said.
“(We) accepted their amended construction timetable for road works completion date from December 1, 2022 to March, 31 2023.
“(We) consider safety as paramount and are insistent that the road be constructed to enable safe travel.”
Many projects were not completed until after this extended deadline and others are currently are still under construction nine months later.
“We’ve already spent more than $120m in maintaining and upgrading the roads,” said a Bravus spokeswoman.
“We’re disappointed Isaac Regional Council has chosen to begin a civil legal dispute in the supreme court instead of allowing us to complete the works
“This legal dispute means more delays and uncertainty.”
The Bravus spokeswoman added a number of road safety features had been implemented such as “extra widenings” and “pull over bays” and alleged that the council kept moving the goalpost.
“(They have) since demanded a completely flood proof road. Now they want a wider road built to a standard above other council-owned roads,” she said.
“Where Council has authorised works on things like the bridge we have been quick to build them as per the agreement.”
Since 2019 Bravus has invested more than $120m in road maintenance and upgrades including construction of three waterway crossings, stormwater culverts and cattle grids.
“Despite this civil legal dispute, the Mine Access Road in its current condition is safe and remains open to all traffic,” the Bravus spokeswoman said.
“Day-to-day operations at the Carmichael mine in central Queensland also continue as normal.”
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