Whitehaven Coal is proposing to develop Australia's largest greenfield coal project, the Winchester South mine, located in the Bowen Basin on First Nations Barada Barna Country. According to Whitehaven's environmental impact statement, the project would contribute 583m tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution – more than Australia’s national annual greenhouse gas emissions – including 14.2m tonnes of on-site emissions and 567m tonnes of scope three emissions created when it is burned overseas. Approximately 58% of the mine’s coal is for steel production, while the other 42% would be exported to Asian countries for use in producing electricity.
The mine would also clear 2,000 hectares south-east of Moranbah of habitat of endangered and threatened species such as koalas, the Australian painted snipe, the ornamental snake and the squatter pigeon, according to the coordinator general’s report. Local grassroots group Mackay Conservation Group (MCG), and ACF are challenging the Queensland government's state approval of the mine in the land court.
