Landmark decision sees Clive Palmer’s Queensland coal project rejected

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has rejected Clive Palmer’s proposed central Queensland coal mine under the nation’s environmental laws.

The refusal is the first such determination to be made under the legislation.

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has rejected a coal mine proposed by businessman Clive Palmer.

Plibersek announced on Wednesday she had decided to knock back the project as it would have unacceptable impacts on nearby areas.

She said it posed a risk of causing irreversible damage to the Great Barrier Reef as it was fewer than 10 kilometres from the natural wonder.

“After a thorough assessment of all of the information before me, I’ve decided to stick with my decision and I won’t be approving the central Queensland coal project,” Plibersek said in a video posted to Twitter.

The Great Barrier Reef.

“I’ve decided that the adverse environmental impacts are simply too great.”

The proposed project was an open-cut mine about 130 kilometres north-west of Rockhampton that would have had capacity to produce up to 10 million tonnes of coal every year for 25 years.

In 2021, the Queensland government argued the mine project posed “unacceptable risks” to the reef and should not proceed.

Plibersek last year proposed blocking the mine and undertook public consultation, during which the overwhelming majority of people called for the project not to go ahead.

Environment groups including the Australian Conservation Foundation, Queensland Conservation Council and Australian Marine Conservation Society welcomed the announcement on Wednesday.

Palmer, whose United Australia Party has a senator in parliament, is expected to challenge Plibersek’s decision, having previously warned it would be politically motivated and economically irresponsible.

– AAP