Pembroke s Olive Downs coal mine approved despite department s concerns about waterways
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MarMarch 2021 at 5:11am
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A massive coal mine that was a key platform in Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk s election campaign gained approvals despite the environmental regulator raising serious concerns behind the scenes about lasting impacts on surrounding waterways, ABC Investigations can reveal.
Key points:
Queensland s Environment Department detailed concerns about the voids that will be left on the floodplain after the mine has closed
A $1 billion Central Queensland coal mine promising 1000 jobs is still facing a legal challenge, despite having received the necessary mining leases. Breeding property Sunland Cattle Co has confirmed it is still pushing ahead with its judicial review of Pembroke Resources Olive Downs mine near Moranbah. The matter has been heard in the Supreme Court, with a judgment delivery date not yet finalised. Sunland Cattle Co is concerned about the impact of the mine on water supply for nearby property owners. It is not pushing for the mine to be stopped, but wants assurances the water supply will not be impacted.
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Subscriber only The company behind the $1 billion Olive Downs coal mine project has revealed it will be seeking to employ locals from surrounding towns to fill the 1500 jobs up for grabs, ruling out any fly-in, fly-out rosters. A Pembroke spokesman said construction was still planned to go ahead later this year, despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID has impacted activities and the company is committed to respecting guidelines in place for safe operations during this challenging period, the spokesman said. Some matters are out of the company s control, and it will ensure it provides updates on any material change to its plans should COVID measures continue.
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Big oil and coal exporters face reckoning as Paris Agreement turns five
On Dec 12, more than 70 global leaders came together at the UN’s Climate Ambition Summit, marking the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was denied a speaking slot, in recognition of Australia’s failure to set meaningful climate commitments.
Meanwhile, the European Union and the UK committed to reduce domestic emissions by 55 per cent and 68 per cent respectively by 2030.
As welcome as these new commitments are, the Paris Agreement desperately needs to be updated. Since it was passed, the production and supply of fossil fuels for export has continued unabated.