The Queensland Government has rejected the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Glencore’s carbon capture and storage (CCS) project confirming the grave concerns raised by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), industry and other representatives.
The EIS assessment process has found that the science behind this project is inadequate, and the risk to the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) too great, meaning the precautionary principle must apply.
This decision is the first step in ensuring the GAB is protected for future generations and has been welcomed by QFF bringing great relief to the farmers, small business owners and rural communities who rely on this precious water source.
QFF CEO Jo Sheppard said that while the decision to reject this project is a step in the right direction, it is not enough, and that regulations must now be put in place immediately to protect the GAB.
“We know that there are currently two companies with exploration permits for CCS in the GAB and we know that other companies globally are looking at the GAB as a cheap way to conduct CCS at an industrial scale to manage their emissions,” Ms Sheppard said.
“In the absence of federal policy, the Queensland Government can and must now take a leadership role and put regulations in place to protect the Queensland component of the GAB from further CCS bids.”
QFF, alongside Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and the Queensland Conservation Council (QCC), continue to call on the Miles government to enact provisions that will prevent further CCS project bids in water aquifers in the GAB from being put forward here in Queensland.
A delegation led by QFF to the Premier last month included representatives from the agriculture sector, rural communities, councils and conservationists to show a unified front in opposition to CCS in the GAB.
“We called on the Premier then, and we are calling on the Premier now, to put regulations in place as a matter of urgency to prioritise water security and protect this vital natural resource for generations to come,” Ms Sheppard said.
“The EIS decision is now known. The Premier must not delay taking action to respond to the concerns of the people of Queensland.”
QFF will continue discussions with the Premier and Queensland Government Ministers calling for immediate action to protect the future of the GAB.
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Media contact:
Anna Jones
Corporate Partnerships and Communications Manager, QFF
E: partnerships@qff.org.au
M: 0481 395 623