Waratah Galilee Coal Mine EA refused

Issued: 3 Apr 2023

The Department of Environment and Science has refused the environmental authority application for Waratah Coal Pty Ltd.’s Galilee Coal Mine.

This decision follows the Land Court’s recommendation, on 25 November 2022, to refuse the environmental authority and mining lease applications for the project.

The environmental authority application process for the project is now complete.

Background for media

The Land Court’s objection hearing took place over seven-weeks commencing on 19 April 2022 and included evidence taken on-country (in the Torres Strait and Cairns) and in Brisbane.

There are no review or appeal rights under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 for the Department’s decision; however, a dissatisfied person may apply to the Supreme Court of Queensland for judicial review.