Community Calls for No New Coal Ports

Friends of the Earth Australia has denounced the development of two new coal export terminals near Bowen in North Queensland, insisting the expansion of Queensland's biggest contributor to climate change must come to an end.

Spokesperson on coal for Friends of the Earth Australia, Eleanor Smith said,

“The Queensland Government needs to be planning it's exit strategy from the coal industry rather than planning new coal ports and mines”.

“All over Queensland, communities are opposing the construction of new coal mines and infrastructure. The many environmental, health and economic impacts of the coal industry has led to these communities calling for a transition away from coal production and export in this state. Just one of these impacts is the industry's huge contribution to climate change.”

“If the real costs of coal mining were taken into account, including the costs of climate change both now and for generations to come, the Queensland government would realise that we can no longer afford to be the world's coal quarry.”

Queensland is Australia's largest exporter of coal with 185MT leaving the shores last year. The two coal terminals planned for Bowen, combined with planned expansions at Mackay and Gladstone will see Queensland's exports double in the next decade.