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Protesters have rallied outside a court opposing what is set to be one of Australia’s biggest coal mines, saying the multibillion-dollar proposal will contribute to a “climate catastrophe”.
Several dozen people gathered on Monday to object to Whitehaven’s Winchester South open-cut mine, comparing it with a 1960s proposal to dredge up the Great Barrier Reef to produce fertiliser.
It came as the Land Court in Brisbane began hearing an objection against the proposal, which would extract 17 million tonnes of coal from the Bowen Basin each year.
Who is opposing the mine proposal?
Australian Conservation Foundation’s Adam Beeson compared the proposed mine with reef dredging and oil drilling, ideas blocked by the courts decades ago as he addressed protesters outside.
“What really is the difference between excavating coral and digging up coal, increasing the global temperature which causes coral bleaching and coral death?”, Beeson said.
He said his foundation along with the Mackay Conservation Group would tell the court the mine’s return was “not worth this impact”.
Mackay Conservation Group climate campaigner Imogen Lindenberg said Winchester South could be the nation’s biggest new coal mine.
“If this mine goes ahead, it will create more pollution than Australia produces in one year,” she said.
“We are already living in a time of climate catastrophe.
“Many folks’ homes have been flooded, there are bushfires – it’s not just us, it’s all the beautiful threatened species.”
What has Whitehaven said?
Barrister Saul Holt KC, acting for Whitehaven, said in his opening address that the Winchester South project would bring significant economic benefits.
He said the mine had widespread community support and would bring $696 million in state royalties and 500 new jobs during construction and operations.
“It’s the right project, in the right place, by the right miner at the right time,” he said.
Holt said Winchester would also support manufacturing that was vital for Australia’s transition to renewable energy.
