Defence concerned as Clive Palmer mine site overlaps with Shoalwater Bay

New documents have revealed concerns from the Department of Defence after learning a mine project belonging to billionaire Clive Palmer could overlap a major military training site in Central Queensland. Details here.

A controversial mining project could be on a collision course with land used for military training exercises if it gets the tick of approval.

Freedom of information documents show Clive Palmer’s planned Central Queensland Coal Mine lease area overlaps land that was acquired by the Australian Defence Force to use as an expansion of the Shoalwater Bay training area.

The land will be used as a joint training ground for up to 14,000 Singaporean troops.

Freedom of Information (FOI) documents show the Department of Defence has highlighted a number of concerns on the mine’s proposed location.

One of its concerns includes how the light, noise and vibrations from the mine could impact activities in the area.

There were also concerns for groundwater.

“Vibrations and other activities inherent with large mining operations have the capability to change the geography of the immediate region, and therefore may impact the suitability of the area, particularly the SWBEA, for certain exercises,” the document says.

“Deleterious impacts upon groundwater resources may significantly impact the sustainability of large-scale activities such as major exercises and training.”

Included in FOI material were notes from a meeting which was held between representatives from the Department of Defence and the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment in October.

During the meeting, Defence asked DAWE what key impacts of the project were being considered by the Department and if it could provide potential conditions.

DAWE told Defence it could not provide an indication of potential conditions and material had not yet been considered by the Minister.

They also said the Minister was planning to visit the site before making a decision on the project.

In April last year the Queensland Department of Environment and Science released a report which recommended the mine posed a number of unacceptable risks and was not suitable to proceed.

The final decision on if the mine proceeds is in the hands of the Federal Government.

Co-ordinator at Capricorn Conservation Council Coral Rowston urged Minister Sussan Ley to reject the project.

“Expert scientists say this coal mine 10km from the Great Barrier Reef is a bad idea and the Queensland Government has effectively rejected it due to significant risks to the reef. Now even Defence has expressed reservations,” she said.

“This project is not only a risk to the environment, including endangered koalas and greater gliders, but also to other industries in the region including tourism, agriculture, fisheries and now Defence.

“We’ve been waiting almost a year for Minister Ley to make a decision on this project. Central Queenslanders who depend on the Reef for tourism and fishing want this destructive coal mine to be rejected.”

Lock the Gate Alliance Queensland spokeswoman Ellie Smith said Defence’s groundwater concerns highlighted one of the biggest impacts of large coal mines on communities.

“Large coal mines drain the water table, rendering water bores relied on by farmers and communities near coal mines all across Queensland useless,” she said.

“Defence’s concerns highlight what communities across Queensland have been saying for years.

“No one should have a coal mine forced on them against their will - not the Australian Defence Force, not farmers, no one. It’s time for Sussan Ley to reject this damaging mine.”

Last year Defence Minister Peter Dutton announced contracts to build in the expanded area.

A spokesperson for the Department of Defence said the department had been engaged in the assessment process.

“Defence understands that the proposed Central Queensland Coal mine project is still under consideration by the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment,” the spokesperson said.

“Defence has been engaged in the assessment process and provided feedback in relation to environmental and security related aspects noting the nearby Shoalwater Bay Training Area.”

Central Queensland Coal has been contacted for comment.