2 June 2025
The Queensland Conservation Council will today launch their landmark objection against a Bowen Basin coal mine. We are calling for the Queensland Land Court to refuse the Jellinbah Group’s proposal to extend the existing Lake Vermont coal mine due to its environmental and climate impacts.
According to the proponent’s Environmental Impact Statement, this extension would produce at least 348 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, in addition to the estimated 462 million tonnes which will still be released from the existing mine, clearing Koala and Greater Glider habitat to do so.
Queensland’s peak environmental body will be represented by NinoxLaw – an experienced legal team with a successful track record in the Queensland Land Court.
What: Press conference out the front of the Queensland Land Court to officially mark the beginning of Queensland Conservation Council’s court case against the Lake Vermont coal mine extension.
When: 8:45am, Monday 2nd June 2025
Where: Land Court of Queensland, 363 George St, Brisbane City, Magan-djin
Who: Queensland Conservation Council Director, Dave Copeman, and Ninox Law’s Special Counsel Alison Rose will address the press and answer questions before they lodge the official paperwork.
Director of Queensland Conservation Council, Dave Copeman said:
“Today marks a significant date for the climate movement in Queensland. By electing to be active objectors against the Lake Vermont extension, QCC is going all in. The Queensland Land Court is a central pillar of our democracy, and not an avenue we take lightly.
“We are committing to at least 18 months of court proceedings and all the costs that come with that because there is no other option. This project would exacerbate the climate crisis and have unacceptable impacts on nature and communities who are already bearing the brunt of coal expansion.
“Australia has the second-highest number of climate change-related cases globally because our government is failing us. Government approval doesn’t make this project climate-safe, it just shows how outdated and inadequate our laws are when it comes to protecting our future.
“We are proud to be represented by the team at Ninox Law – a team who have a wealth of experience in the Queensland Land Court including Youth Verdict’s historic win over Waratah Coal.”
Special Counsel at Ninox Law, Alison Rose said:
“The Land Court must now consider whether making a recommendation to unlock another approx 348 million tonnes of GHG emissions stacks up environmentally, economically and socially, is consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development, is in the public’s interest and is a justifiable limitation on the human rights of people in Queensland.
“Our clients’ have a strong case, and will seek to demonstrate to the Court that no new coal mine is needed or wanted if we are to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees in line with the temperature goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and Australia’s Safeguard Mechanism.
“This case builds on existing decisions in the Queensland Land Court with the landmark Waratah Coal decision in 2022. For the first time ever, a coal mine was refused on climate and human rights grounds, the court finding that new coal is incompatible with a safe climate future.
“More recent decisions of the Land Court highlight that the Court will not green light coal expansion if the applicant fails to demonstrate that it can and will be able to fully mitigate its GHG emissions by proposing a credible GHG emissions abatement plan.”
ENDS
Contact details:
Media contact on the day: Jenny Brown, 0412 899 059
Media support contact: Sean Kennedy, 0447 121 378