Adani BTFMP review report finalised

Issued: 18 Feb 2019

The independent scientific review of Adani’s Black-throated Finch Management Plan (BTFMP) has been finalised.

The review panel’s report was today (18 February) provided to Adani by the Department of Environment and Science (DES), following the completion of the report on 15 February.

Adani now has the opportunity to consider the review panel’s recommendations and provide a response to the department.

While there is no statutory timeframe for this to occur, DES has suggested to Adani that the above process be undertaken at the company’s earliest opportunity.

DES has offered to meet with Adani to assist the company in working through the panel’s recommendations and to progress any revisions necessary to the BTFMP.

The BTFMP is one of two environmental management plans that need to be approved before operations can begin at Adani’s Carmichael coal mine.

The other is the Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Management Plan (GDEMP), which also needs approval from the Federal Government.

Among other things, the GDEMP is required to determine the source aquifer for the Doongmabulla Springs Complex and the methodology used to determine it.

The Federal Government has engaged CSIRO and GeoScience Australia to undertake an independent scientific review of the GDEMP.

Recent media reports have suggested the Queensland Government could require its own review of the GDEMP, however this is not the case.

DES will be satisfied to consider the scientific advice of CSIRO and GeoScience Australia in relation to the GDEMP prior to making a decision on the plan.