Three endangered greater gliders at the site of a controversial coal mine in central Queensland were found by citizen scientists working with the Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) and assisted by Ghungalu Traditional Owners.
The Gemini coal project is currently under investigation by Federal government officials for illegally clearing bushland without approval under the EPBC Act, but QCC says the new evidence should prompt Environment Minister Murray Watt to use his powers to stop the clearing and properly assess the coal mine under federal environment law.
Documents obtained under FOI show the federal environment department wrote to the proponent of the Gemini coal mine in 2022 recommending the project be referred for assessment under national environment laws. Instead of making the company refer the project so a proper environmental assessment can be done, the coal company has ignored the department's recommendation and begun clearing for the coal mine.
The peak body reported alleged unlawful clearing at the site to Minister Watt in July. His Department has said they don't have the power to stop the clearing, but the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) says there are powers in the EPBC Act that the Minister appears not yet to have used.
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Queensland Conservation Coal and Gas Campaigner, Ms Charlie Cox, says:
"The evidence is mounting - Magnetic South's Gemini coal mine poses a clear and unacceptable risk to greater glider habitat on Ghungalu country. Magnetic South has bulldozed habitat as if the law does not apply to them.
"Greater gliders can't survive without old trees with large hollows. Environment Minister Murray Watt already has the power to intervene, to stop work at the site, to properly assess this new project, and to hold Magnetic South accountable, but is choosing not to use it.
"Minister Watt is proposing changes to environment laws while at the same time refusing to use powers he has under the existing laws to make sure the Gemini coal mine is properly assessed. His own department agreed that this coal mine needs to be assessed under our Environment laws, and yet he has done nothing to hold them accountable.
"If Minister Watt doesn't have the stomach to use the powers he has under the existing law, how can we trust that the proposed reforms to the EPBC will actually protect the environment and not just favour the interests of coal companies and developers?
"In the meantime, it seems to be left to the community to do the job of the environment department, investigating and documenting the threats to greater gliders posed by this unapproved and potentially illegal coal mine. The new evidence we've supplied the department should compel them to act to uphold the law and stop the destruction of habitat.
"Greater gliders are protected under our national environmental laws. Murray Watt's office confirmed in writing to us that any clearing of glider habitat without approval carries hefty penalties, including millions of dollars in fines and even imprisonment."
Environmental Defenders Office Managing Lawyer, Andrew Kwan says:
"Under section 70 of the Act, Minister Watt can require referral of the project to determine the need for assessment. He can also seek a court injunction to prevent activities which have, will have, or are likely to have a significant impact on Greater Gliders, under section 475 of the Act."
Ghungulu Elder Pop Steven Kemp says:
"The Greater Glider is one of the most endangered species in Australia. These companies and the Environment Minister aren't doing anything to protect them - they're doing absolutely nothing.
"There are many other plant and animal species at the Gemini mine on Ghungulu Country that rely on the forests to survive that haven't been found, yet the company is destroying their homes."
Ghungalu Elder Nuinee Gungari says:
"While I was out at camp, two greater gliders visited me. I was sitting down to get into the tent and I heard the whoosh of the glider coming down. When I looked up the wings were out and it was magnificent. It happened again the next day. I believe the old people, my ancestors, were giving me a cultural sign that it was ok for me to be there, that I didn't need to be afraid."
Ghungulu Traditional Owner Suneilia Rebel-Lawson says:
"It's hard to put into words how it felt to be looking for these gliders on my ancestors Country. I felt grounded to the land, trees and old people. It made me feel empowered and gave me a sense of pride knowing I had a little part in finding a Greater Glider on our Country, where the company said there wasn't any. I would like to ask all the Ghungulu people, now that one of us has seen one, what are we going to do to save them?
"We're doing our part to share this new information and to protect Country. Murray Watt says he can't do anything, but we know he can. We know our cultural lore, and Watt needs to step up and do his job to hold Magnetic South accountable."
Palm Tree Yiman-Ghungulu man Luke Lawson says:
"It's hard to be introduced to a place that we've never had access to, which could change our people's direction for generations to come. There are countless health benefits that can come from being on that Country - mentally, physically and spiritually. It's hard to contextualise the benefits because they're so different to what the Western world experiences."
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