By our correspondent
Brisbane, 16 September: The legal battle against the approval of the multibillion dollar, 30 million tonne per year Queensland Alfa Coal Mine in the Galilee Basin, partnered by Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart and Indian conglomerate GVK has started its three weeks hearing at the Brisbane Magistrates Court today.
The legal challenge is led by local farmers and community group Coast and Country Association of Queensland. The challenge is based on the effect the open-cut mega-mine will have on groundwater, farmland, and the Australian economy and on climate change.
Local farmer Peter Anderson said, “The agricultural industry in this area absolutely depends on groundwater and the Alpha coal mine will have intensive water demands. It’s going to remove up to 176 billion litres of water over its lifetime and deplete the groundwater table by up to 5 metres in a 20km radius from the mine, which will have a devastating impact on farm viability.”
Professor Ian Lowe, renowned climate scientist (who is not engaged by Coast and Country) said, “Expanding coal mining and coal exports is criminally irresponsible. It is a crime against the environment and a crime against future generations.”
72-year-old Queensland grandmother June Norman, who recently walked from Cairns to Gladstone to draw public attention to the destructive impact that coal and CSG exports will have on the Great Barrier Reef, has joined Coast and Country to mount the challenge.
She said, “I just don’t understand, why we are allowing international companies to come here and establish a coal export industry that is contributing to the end of the Great Barrier Reef? GVK and Hancock are in this for the profit, it’s our grandchildren and their kids who will have to live with the long term consequences.”
A number of expert witnesses, including Professor David Karoly and Associate Professor John Webb will provide evidence on the likely impacts of the Alpha Coal Mine, including on its depletion of groundwater and contribution to climate change.
The Federal Government Environment Minister approved the project in August 2012.
The Alfa Coal Mine is spread in 64, 769 hectares and is estimated to be one and half times larger than ‘Greater Mumbai’.
– SAT News Service
