Adani BTFMP and GDEMP

Issued: 2 Jan 2019

Two plans are yet to be approved before any significant disturbance can commence at the Carmichael Coal Mine.

An independent scientific panel will review Adani’s Black-Throated Finch Management Plan (BTFMP) prior to any approval for Adani to commence operations at its Carmichael Coal Mine.

The Queensland Government takes its protection of endangered and threatened species seriously.

The Black-Throated Finch is listed as an endangered species in Queensland and nationally and it is also recognised as a species in decline.

The Carmichael mine site is within a region that has the most significant Black-Throated Finch population in Australia.

The independent review will ensure a robust scientific assessment of the BTFMP and its impacts on the endangered species prior to any potential approval of the plan by the Department of Environment and Science (DES).

Another plan that still requires approval, by both the Federal Department of Environment and Energy and Queensland Department of Environment and Science, is the Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Management Plan (GDEMP).

Among other things, the GDEMP needs to identify the source aquifer of the Doongmabulla Springs Complex and mitigation measures to protect the Springs.

The Federal Government is obtaining independent scientific review of the plan by CSIRO and Geoscience Australia.

DES will take this independent advice into consideration in assessing the GDEMP.

Preliminary advice from CSIRO requires Adani to update the plan.

DES continues to provide feedback to Adani to ensure that the GDEMP meets approval requirements, and will not continue to assess the GDEMP until an updated version is submitted.

There is no statutory timeframe for DES to assess and approve the BTFMP and the GDEMP.

Statements by Adani that they now will be self-funded and can proceed are separate issues from the required approvals which Adani must attain, as is the case for every like mining proposal.