Queensland coking coal mine unlikely to gain approval

The Queensland government has announced that a proposed coking coal mine near Bundaberg is likely not in the public interest. This decision was shared by Attorney-General Deb Frecklington in Bundaberg. The government’s preliminary finding has raised concerns about the potential impact on prime agricultural land. Fox Resources applied for a mineral development licence in 2019 to explore over 7,800 hectares of land, about 20 kilometers from Bundaberg. The company initially faced rejection from the previous state government but had hoped for approval after a court ruling last year. Now, the community is pushing back against the mine. The Bundaberg community has clearly expressed its opposition to the coal mine. Recently, around 75 locals joined a rally against the project. Local farmer Judy Plath welcomed the government's position and stated that both major political parties had assured the community of their opposition to the project before the last election. Despite the announcement, there are worries about Fox Resources potentially continuing their efforts to push the project forward. Plath expressed her concerns that the company might launch new submissions or legal actions, which would be frustrating for the community. Frecklington noted that Fox Resources has not been invited to submit further information at this time.