The Queensland Department of Environment and Science quietly refused the Environmental Authority application on 2nd November 2023. Billionaire Clive Palmer owned Waratah Coal’s 1400 MW coal fired power station proposed for the township of Alpha, Central West Queensland has failed at its first approval stage.
On one hand, the Department of Environment has quietly refused the environmental approval. At the same time the Department of State Development’s advice about the local environmental impacts, recommended approval with conditions.
The proposed Galilee Power Station seeks a 50 year approval to burn 4 million tonnes of coal per annum and emit 9.427 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent/year into the atmosphere. Climate change is a threat to us all. Australia is bracing for extreme weather this summer, and the recent bushfires are alarming - Australia does not need another coal fired power station.
The Galilee Power Station was proposed by Waratah Coal to the small rural Barcaldine Regional Council prior to 24 April 2019 but due to community pressure a development assessment “Call In” was undertaken by the Queensland Government in 2021.
Friends of the Earth Brisbane has campaigned against Waratah Coal’s Galilee Basin power station plans since 2009. In recent submissions, Friends of the Earth encouraged supporters to make a submission to the Qld Government. According to the Department’s figures, approximately 91.8% of all submissions opposed the power station, "citing concerns relating to climate change and the ability to meet national and state level emissions targets".
Some of the environment department’s key considerations to refuse the application included such things as the irreversible climate change impacts, and the threat posed to Queensland’s renewable energy targets of 50% by 2030 and 70% by 2032. You can read the full document at the link below.
This is a great example of people power. With this win, now is the time for Minister Steven Miles, Minister for State Development to reject the proposed climate wrecking dirty coal fired power station - Queensland does not need another coal fired power station.
There are 3 things you can do.
- Sign the petition. (if you already have) share it with your networks to pressure Minister Miles to REJECT the coal fired power station!
- Become a supporter of Friends of the Earth Brisbane to build the people power.
- Share FoE Brisbane's social media posts.
With people power, we can ensure projects like this will be stopped.
Donate to help Friends of the Earth Brisbane continue this great work!
Ref - Qld Queensland Department of Environment and Science - Environmental Authority decision