Premier: CO2 injections into GAB "doesn't sound like a good idea"

Mining giant, Glencore, through its subsidiary CTSCo, wants to inject liquified CO2 waste from the Millmerran power station into the Great Artesian Basin at Moonie.

A decision on Glencore's environmental impact statement is currently before the state government and a decision is expected to be handed down this month.

Multiple community groups, farm lobby groups, individuals and businesses are vehemently opposed to Glencore's proposal because they feel it puts the GAB - which is a major water source for many communities - at risk from pollution.

Responding to a question from Queensland Country Life at Beef yesterday, the Premier Steven Miles said the government expected a decision very soon on the Glencore proposal.

"I've continued to talk with and work with those groups who are concerned with it, as recently as yesterday (Tuesday) and last night," he said.

"I share their concerns, I've said so publicly. It doesn't sound like a good idea to me, but we have a rigorous process of environment impact assessments here in Queensland and any project can go through that process.

"Once we see the outcome of that process, then I'll have more to say about longer term policy options."

A Glencore spokesperson said the company was disappointed that Premier Miles was providing negative running commentary while the CTSCo Project was still under independent review.

"If the Premier continues to intervene and ignores due process, he leaves the resources industry with no credible abatement solution which means lost Queensland jobs and a hit to regional communities," the spokesperson said.

"Our project should be judged on the science, not misinformation or political opportunism."

AgForce has mounted a legal case in the federal court to contest a decision made by the former Morrison coalition federal government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

In a legal case that could cost the Queensland lobby group millions of dollars, AgForce is challenging a decision handed down on February 9, 2022, under the EPBC Act which it says "was flawed" because the National Environmental Significance provisions of the act were "not adequately considered" in the instance of Glencore and the GAB.

AgForce was hoping for money from the Australian Farmers Fighting Fund to help pay for the legal challenge, but that request was declined.

It has, however, received about $250,000 through corporate and individual donations, and a $60,000 injection of funds from the C & N Graziers Trust.