Australia Knocks Back Major Coal Project Near Great Barrier Reef
- New coal mine had planned to produce 10 million tons a year
- It will be the first coal mine denied by a minister under act
Source: Arterra/Universal Images Group Editorial
This article is for subscribers only.
Australia’s new government rejected plans for a major coal project near the Great Barrier Reef, marking a sharp change in policy in one of the biggest exporters of the polluting fossil fuel.
Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said Thursday that she intended to not approve mining tycoon Clive Palmer’s Central Queensland Coal project due to the likelihood of “unacceptable impacts” on the world heritage site. It’s the first time an Australian minister has refused a coal mine under the country’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, her office said.