Adani is once again being accused of illegal clearing of vegetation at the Adani Carmichael Coal Mine site in Queensland. Satellite and arial imagery show that Adani have been clearing sites in areas that potentially the habitat to the black-throated finch.
‘The satellite and aerial imagery clearly show Adani has once again breached its environmental approval, committing offences under Queensland law’, said Derec Davies of Coast and Country a Queensland based natural resource management company.
‘In late March 2019 Adani started clearing vegetation in potential Black-throated Finch habitat. They bulldozed roughly 27,000 square metres of vegetation prior to approval. Adani then posted the illegal act on Facebook.
Mr Davies says that Adani has disturbed the mine site without approval, clearing trees and vegetation which includes potential black-throated finch habitat to create: nine significant sites for drill pads, three larger sites which could be used for automated drilling machines, and eight new mine site roads.
Adani received approval for the black-throated finch management plan on Friday May 31 which allows them to proceed with stage one work at the site. However, the work they have been carrying out is part of stage two which cannot legally be initiated before receiving approval for the ground water management plan from the Queensland government.
‘This is part of a pattern of non-compliance at the mine site and at other locations operated by Adani, including at its Abbot Point Port. It appears Adani is a repeat offender and can’t be trusted to protect Queensland water and natural environment’, said Mr Davies.
‘It is time for Queensland environment minister Enoch to put the breaks on Adani. Fast tracking the Adani coal mine approval is not good for Queensland, and it undermines the integrity and separation of the public service.
‘This is the second breach of environmental law in 12 months, and should provide the Queensland government with significant cause for concern. Coast and Country calls on the Department of Environment and Science to investigate this issue, and to execute an enforcement action to limit further environmental harm. Adani, just like any other company or resident of Queensland, must comply with Queensland laws.’
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