Approval to Indian conglomerate Adani Mining's 7 billion dollars Carmichael coal mine project in Queensland has been legally challenged by an Australian environmental group on the grounds that the clearance to it failed to take into account the impact of carbon emissions.
The Mackay Conservation Group (MCG) is calling for the approval to the mine project in the Galilee basin to be rendered invalid on the grounds that Environment Minister Greg Hunt failed to take into account the impact on the Great Barrier Reef of greenhouse gases emitted when coal is burned.
A test case has been lodged by the NSW Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) on behalf of the Mackay Conservation Group which argues that the emissions from burning the estimated 60 million tonnes a year of coal to be exported from Adani's Carmichael mine are big enough to have an impact on global warming and therefore on the Great Barrier Reef., reports said.
In response to the legal challenge, Adani Mining issued a statement today, saying, "This legal challenge initiated by the Mackay Conservation Group, and funded by Getup, is an act designed to frustrate progress on an approved project, and reflects dissatisfaction with the Minister's decision, rather than a genuine concern in regards to the assessment process."
"It makes crystal clear that this is not an action dealing with the merits of a process that saw the strictest environmental conditions imposed in Australian history -- rather, it is a highly politicised action by professional activists determined to put to an end the coal industry in Queensland and the jobs it delivers to our state," the statement said.
The coal mine and rail project was approved by Hunt in July 2014, after 3 years of environmental impact assessment studies.
"The assessment was undertaken in accordance with the terms of reference for the project, which included the required assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from the mine," the company said.
"There were multiple opportunities throughout the assessment process for all parties, including Mackay Conservation Group, to make submissions which were subsequently considered prior to the approval decision on this project," it said.
Adani's mine, rail and port projects will deliver 10,000 jobs and 22 billion dollars in taxes and royalties to be invested right back into frontline services in Queensland.
Queensland premier Campbell Newman has made the development of the Galilee basin a key state election issue.
The Labour opposition supports coal mining, but not the taxpayer subsidies being offered by the coalition government.
The Australian Greens have congratulated Mackay Conservation Group for standing up for the Great Barrier Reef and climate.
