Coal-laden water spilling from the Abbot Point coal terminal. Picture: Mackay Conservation Group
PHOTOS have emerged showing coal-laden water spilling into wetlands from Adani’s Abbot Point terminal near the Great Barrier Reef.
A Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection spokeswoman confirmed to news.com.au that satellite imagery appears to show sediment laden water flowing from the terminal settlement ponds into the Caley Valley wetland.
The spokeswoman said the department became aware of the image on April 6, in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie.
The department immediately began an investigation into whether had been any unauthorised releases of water into the wetland.
But she noted the department had granted a temporary emissions licence (TEL) to Abbot Point Bulk Coal Pty Ltd to assist with site water management during the cyclone.
Temporary licences can be granted during major events such as floods or bushfire. It allowed Abbot Point to temporarily increase in the release limits for total suspended solids in water from 30 mg/L to 100 mg/L.
“Initial monitoring results indicate releases to Caley Valley Wetland were in accordance with the TEL conditions,” she said.
“A TEL does not authorise environmental harm.”
The department said its investigation was continuing, including accessing historical satellite imagery to compare wetland colour and depth fluctuations.
Mackay Conservation Group released images of the spill on its Facebook page and says they show the wetland, which were in good condition in 2016, had been turned black by coal escaping from the port.
before
after
“These images show the lack of capacity Adani has to operate in a sensitive environment,” said Mackay Conservation Group co-ordinator, Peter McCallum.
“Adani wants to build a new coal terminal at the port that will involve extensive dredging in Great Barrier Reef waters, then pile the waste rock and mud alongside these wetlands. That will put the wetlands and the reef under even greater threat.”
“It’s obvious that Adani doesn’t know how to manage its existing facilities in a way that will protect the wetlands, or perhaps the company just doesn’t care.”
The group has asked Queensland Environment Minister Steven Miles to provide more information on the volume of coal spilled into the wetlands, how the government intends to rehabilitate them and whether steps will be taken to prosecute for any environmental damage.
The group said the 5000 hectare wetlands were home to more than 40,000 shorebirds during the wet season and more than 200 different species had been identified there.
Adani plans to expand the coal terminal as part of the construction of its controversial $21 billion Carmichael coal mine in Queensland’s Galillee Basin, which has many environmentalists worried about the potential impact to the Great Barrier Reef.
The terminal is used to ship coal overseas, and is located on the edge of the reef, about 19 kilometres away from the closest coral.
Adani due to make a decision soon on whether to proceed with plans to expand the port and build Australia’s biggest coal mine.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull met with senior Adani executives privately this week in India and according to the Australian Financial Review, assured them native title issues threatening the mine would be fixed.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (right) meets with India's Adani Group founder and chairman Gautam Adani in New Delhi, India on Monday, April 10. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AAPSource:AAP
A recent federal court ruling on land use deals requires mining companies to get unanimous agreement from indigenous communities, which would make an agreement Adani has secured invalid.
Its now relying on the Federal Government to amend laws to overturn the court decision.
The two leaders also discussed a $1 billion taxpayer-funded concessional load that Adani has applied for to help build a rail line to service the new mine.
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Turnbull insisted a decision on the potential loan was going through the Northern Australian infrastructure fund’s independent process.
It’s understood Adani representatives mentioned the infrastructure fund during the meeting but made it clear they understood it was independent of the government.
Acting Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the rail line was a “great idea” and could turn Queensland’s Galilee Basin into a “cash cow” for Australia.
“It’s a great investment in getting people out of poverty,” Mr Joyce told ABC radio on Tuesday. Mr Joyce said the rail line could also help other Australian miners, opening up the Galilee Basin and turning it into a “cash cow”.
“As well as turning on the power for other people in the world,” he said.
He said the mine would help directly employ about 3000 people — with a further 10,000 indirect jobs — and the $16.5 billion investment from Adani would also be great for the region following the devastation of Cyclone Debbie.
The Carmichael coal mine was approved in December but has faced serious opposition from environmental and indigenous groups.
The Greens are planning an attempt to block any government funding for the mine or its railway line via legislation introducing a suitable person test for infrastructure fund applicants.
Environment spokeswoman Larissa Waters didn’t believe Adani would pass the test.
“Overseas, Adani is under investigation for money laundering, fraud and corruption, including allegedly bribing public officials,” she told AAP. “They have ignored environmental laws causing irreversible damage.”
Earlier on Monday, in a joint press appearance with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, Mr Turnbull talked up the importance of Australian resources and expertise to the Indian energy sector.
“We’re pleased to be providing increasing quantities of high quality coal for steelmaking and increasingly for power generation with advanced supercritical technology,” he told reporters.
— With AAP
charis.chang@news.com.au
Bimblebox72:12
At this critical time, when so much coal and coal seam gas expansion is planned in Australia, this film aims to expose the destructiveness of this industry to our climate, communities and environment.
- March 22nd 2015
- 2 years ago
- /video/video.news.com.au/TV/Current Affairs/
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