Australian government officials are investigating whether a coal mining company illegally cleared bushland in central Queensland, potentially endangering threatened greater gliders and koalas. The probe emerged during a fiery Senate estimates hearing where Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young criticised environment department bureaucrats, later withdrawing her remarks.
The investigation concerns alleged clearing at the site of Magnetic South's Gemini coalmine near Dingo. In June, the Queensland Conservation Council raised concerns after obtaining drone footage showing large areas of cleared bushland. The council alleged the company had cleared about 200 hectares of greater glider habitat and may have begun construction without federal environmental assessment.
Officials confirmed the department inspected the site in August and are investigating whether there was a breach of national environmental law or significant impact on threatened species. When asked if the company continued working during the investigation, a representative replied 'I believe so', adding that the company had authorisation for some activities.
Senator Hanson-Young pressed officials on whether the department had requested the company stop clearing or taken other steps, such as calling in the project or seeking an injunction. Officials responded that there were no provisions under compliance enforcement to compel a halt, and that courts would not favour an injunction before investigation completion.
The senator also questioned a separate investigation into alleged illegal clearing by another coal company, Vitronite, which remained unresolved after nearly a year. She described the department as 'weak' for not seeking an injunction, but withdrew the remark after a request from Environment Minister Murray Watt. The department maintained that officers were fulfilling their obligations under existing law.
Magnetic South has previously stated it takes environmental obligations seriously and operates in line with federal and state laws, stressing its commitment to regulatory compliance and project delivery within its environmental authority and mining lease conditions.
