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Evidence of Vitirinite illegally clearing endangered koala habitat at proposed Vulcan South coal mine site


Media Release

3 October 2024

Queensland coal company Vitrinite is illegally bulldozing koala habitat at its proposed Vulcan South coal mine in Central Queensland while they await Federal environmental approval.

Vitrinite is seeking approval from the federal government for its Vulcan South coal mine, which it says will clear and degrade more than 1100 hectares of koala habitat, equivalent to more than 500 MCG sized sporting fields. But before being granted approval for the project Vitrinite has started digging a ‘test’ coal mine and cleared at least 47 hectares of koala habitat without federal approval. 

Vitrinite has already cleared koala habitat that it has asked the Commonwealth for approval to clear, before receiving that approval. Therefore it would appear that Vitrrinite has commenced the Vulcan South project before receiving EPBC approval. 

Vitrinite's actions highlight significant flaws in Australia’s environmental protection laws. Weak regulations not only fail to prevent habitat destruction but, shockingly, allow such violations to go unchecked.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is being called to urgently intervene. Conservation groups demand that she not only stop Vitrinite’s illegal activity but also reject the Vulcan South coal mine proposal altogether.

Quotes

“The fact that a coal company can start a coal mine without federal environmental approvals and illegally clear koala habitat shows how broken Australia’s environment laws are. Not only are our weak environmental laws failing to prevent habitat destruction, they are not even being enforced, allowing coal companies like Vitrinite to illegally bulldoze koala habitat for polluting coal mines.” 

“Tanya Plibersek must recognize Vitrinite should not be trusted with Queensland’s environment, override the state’s decision, and reject the VulcanSouth proposal.

“Environment Minister Plibersek will gladly cuddle koalas for a photo opportunity, but conveniently turns her back when their homes are actively being bulldozed.”

“Minister Plibersek must not only ensure that Vitrinite is held to account and immediately stop the illegal coal mining activity, to prevent further destruction of koala habitat, she must also reject Vitrintie’s application for the Vulcan South coal mine.” 

“Vitrinite has already started work on its Vulcan South coal mine without federal approval, exposing their appalling disregard for the environment and the laws that are supposed to protect it. Vitrinite is a company that cannot be trusted and it should not be granted approval to continue the destructive Vulcan South coal mine.” 

“It’s outrageous that the Queensland Government would allow clearing of koala habitat without EPBC approval. Environment Minister Plibersek needs to do her only job which is to protect our precious environment and reject the VulcanSouth coal mine.” Emma Barrett, Mackay Conservation Group Coordinator. 

Contact: Imogen Lindenberg 0477 997 392

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  • Imogen Lindenberg
    published this page in Media Releases 2024-10-10 16:23:57 +1000