Queensland Alpha Mine – What Are The Environmental Impacts?
A coal mine in Central Queensland has been the cause of tension between the Federal Labor Government and the Queensland Liberal-National State Government this week. The Federal Environment Minster, Tony Burke placed the proposed mine on hold over concerns about the Queensland government’s handling of environmental issues surrounding the project.
A UNESCO report released this week threatened to put the Great Barrier Reef on its ‘in danger’ list and Colin Hunt from the University of Queensland believes this may have been a factor in Tony Burke’s decision.Patricia Julian from the Mackay Conservation Council, one of many concerned environmental groups, is alarmed that there has not been adequate enough environmental impact studies conducted on the Alpha Mine project.