The Federal Government has announced its approval of the Alpha coal mine and associated rail works in Queensland, paving the way for construction of the country's largest coal mine.

 

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke said he had granted approval for the mine subject to 19 conditions directed at environmental protection, specifically the Great Barrier Reef.

 

"My approval follows a rigorous assessment process after I was forced to step in and complete the assessment. This has ensured the highest standards of environmental regulation were applied to this project,'' Mr Burke said.

 

"While the decision has taken an additional three months since the Queensland Coordinator General's report was released, I'm satisfied that we have now put in place the required additional conditions for the protection of the environment including the Great Barrier Reef."

 

The Queensland Government welcomed the decision, but spared little time in agitating for the Federal Government to approve the South of Embley bauxite mine.

 

The approval conditions set out comprehensive management and monitoring arrangements including:

  • The proponent will be required to submit a Caley Valley Wetland Management Plan for the Minister's approval and to ensure that coal dust impacts on the Caley Valley Wetland are minimised through various measures including covered wagons or equivalent.
  • A Matters of National Environmental Significance Management Plan to maximise the ongoing protection and long term conservation of EPBC listed threatened fauna
  • Several management plans will manage potential impacts on the values of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and species including dugongs, turtles and migratory birds
  • Significant and comprehensive land offsets to protect listed threatened ecological communities and species
  • A proponent-established trust, with initial funding of $2 million, to conduct research on the black-throated finch and the squatter pigeon, with provision for a more strategic approach to protect all key species in the Galilee Basin in the event that any further mines are approved in the basin,
  • Management plans covering mine rehabilitation, vegetation, water quality and regional impacts on water quality, and
  • Identify threshold limits and management measures for any coal dust impacts on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and reporting to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority every six months.