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Federal Government called on to assess proposed Colton coal mine

Tuesday, 28 Feb 2017 14:33:48 | Jess Lodge

The coal mine, proposed by New Hope, is about 10 kilometres from Maryborough.

Environmentalists want the Federal Government to scrutinise the proposed Colton mine, which they say will pour a billion litres of untreated waste into waters around the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island.

The Federal Environment Department decided in 2010 the Queensland mine would not be subject to its environmental or approval assessment, instead going through state processes.

Environmental group Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC) has urged Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg to reconsider the decision.

He has agreed to take public feedback until this Thursday on whether to consider making the mine subject to federal environmental laws.

The committee's spokeswoman, Tanzi Smith, said new information had come to light since 2010 showing there could be a potentially significant impact to the Great Sandy Strait, off Fraser Island.

"The proposed mine would discharge almost a billion litres of contaminated waste water a year directly into the Mary River," she said.

"[It] flows into the Great Sandy Strait, where visitors and locals catch the barge for the journey across to the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island.

The proposed Colton coal mine and how MRCCC says waste water will be released into the Mary River. Photo: The proposed Colton coal mine and how MRCCC says waste water will be released into the Mary River. (Supplied: MRCCC)

"The Great Sandy Strait is internationally recognised and is home to threatened dolphins and dugong, as well as being a hotspot for migratory birds and stop-off for migrating humpback whales.

"What we're asking for is just that it gets a proper assessment under our national environmental laws."

UNESCO is considering a proposal to expand the Fraser Island World Heritage Area to include the Great Sandy Strait, which lies on the western side of the island.

Mine developer New Hope Group said it would make no further comment until the review was completed.

It said all submissions and responses are added to the body of evidence publicly available for scrutiny.

Previous environmental concerns rejected by Land Court

Last year New Hope won a Land Court case against another environmental group's challenge to the project.

Concerns were raised over dust, noise pollution and the disposal of water from the mine into the nearby Mary River.

In that hearing, the company's barrister, Damien O'Brien QC, told the court that the water from mine would be "chemically benign" and could only be discharged when there is significant flow in the river as required under the Environmental Agreement.

The Land Court ruled in favour of New Hope Coal, recommending that Queensland Environment Minister Steven Miles approve the application to develop the mine.

Mr Miles has been contacted for comment.

AustraliaPlus


 

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