Reassessment of mining projects in shire draws fire from federal MP

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has taken the Albanese government to task for putting two mining projects in the region at risk.

The federal government will allow the reassessment of major coal and gas projects, including Whitehaven Coal’s Narrabri underground mine extension and an expansion of Boggabri Coal’s operations.

Public submissions on the climate change impacts of 18 coal and gas projects will now take place under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

The move was prompted by a legal application submitted by the Environment Council of Central Queensland, formally requesting that federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek reconsider how these 18 projects had been assessed, taking into account the broader effects of climate change and how emissions from these projects could damage environments.

Mr Coulton said if the two projects in the region were unable to go ahead, it would be devastating for Narrabri and Gunnedah shires.

“Energy prices are already going up by 56 per cent, but making it even harder for coal and gas projects to pass more environmental assessments inevitably means supply goes down, and cost goes up,” Mr Coulton said.

“This will do nothing to ease those cost of living pressures at a time when families in the Parkes electorate are already struggling to keep the lights on.”

Mr Coulton said the Boggabri coal mine and Whitehaven Narrabri underground mine were both major employers in the Narrabri and Gunnedah regions, contributing significantly to the local economy.

“The proposed Whitehaven Narrabri underground mine extension would extend the life of the mine from 2031 to 2044, providing continued employment for hundreds of locals, injecting millions of dollars into the Narrabri community,” Mr Coulton said.

“Likewise, the Boggabri Coal mine extension would extend the mine life from 2033 to the end of 2039, providing an additional 80 full time jobs,” Mr Coulton said.

“The Labor government needs to provide certainty around energy projects.”

Whitehaven Coal was granted conditional approval for its mine extension earlier this year.

The Independent Planning Commission announced conditional project consent. A three-member panel issued 152 conditions for the development’s approval.

Conditional approval for the mine extension followed the commission’s series of public hearings as well as extensive submissions both in favour and opposition to the development.

At the time, Whitehaven welcomed the project’s approval saying it would enable mining to continue until 2044 as well as $317 million of direct wages into the community.

Boggabri Coal sought to increase the approved maximum depth of mining to recover an additional 61.6 million tonnes.

The development would result in a six-year extension of mine life.

Mr Coulton’s remarks follow the release of additional data from the 2021 Census, which demonstrated the mining industry’s impact on employment in Narrabri Shire.

Mining was the largest employer in the shire with 1398 people according to the Census results.

Of this statistic, 1310 people specified coal mining as their employment industry.

Agriculture was the shire’s second largest employer at 1015 people.

Environmental Justice Australia, acting on behalf of the Environment Council of Central Queensland, requested the reconsideration of the first stage of approval in what is a two-step approval process for developments of this nature.

The council’s president, Christine Carlisle, said assessing the risks and harm of new coal or gas should account for all the evidence, including how it would contribute to climate breakdown.

“Until now, former environment ministers failed to take climate change into account when considering which animals, plants, and places could be harmed by a coal or gas proposal,” she said.

“Minister Plibersek will reassess 18 massive coal and gas proposals, and right now, we can all help ensure environmental law accounts for the reality of climate change.”