Coal Watch Initiative Highlights Scale Of Proposed Coal Expansions In Queensland

A new initiative, Coal Watch, has been launched by Lock the Gate Alliance (LTG) and the Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) in response to what the groups describe as a wave of coal mine expansions proposed across Queensland.

Unveiled at an event in Brisbane, the project seeks to provide a central hub for data and community action, tracking the impacts of new and expanded coal projects on the environment, regional water resources, and climate. The launch event drew attendees from across the state, signalling growing public interest in the cumulative effects of resource development.

According to Coal Watch’s findings, there are currently 28 coal mine expansions proposed across Queensland. If approved, Coal Watch sais the projects would:

Add more than 14 billion tonnes of carbon pollution to the atmosphere – equivalent to over 30 times Australia’s total annual domestic emissions, clear at least 10,600 hectares of koala habitat and use more than 3.7 trillion litres of water – equivalent to 22 years’ worth of household water use in Brisbane.

Lock the Gate’s Queensland Coordinator, Maggie Mckeown, said the data underscores the need for a broader public conversation about the direction of energy and development policy in the state.

“Queensland communities are already paying the price for climate change – whether it’s rising food and insurance costs or the toll from repeated floods and disasters,” she said.

“And yet, we’re now staring down proposals that would see more than 14 billion tonnes of pollution added to an already overheating atmosphere.”

Ms Mckeown also pointed to the impact on regional water sources and wildlife: “These expansions would clear over 10,000 hectares of critical koala habitat and draw down billions of litres from water systems that farmers and regional towns depend on.”

Much of this expansion is being driven by large multinational mining firms, including BHP, which Coal Watch says is proposing to extract an additional 1.5 billion tonnes of coal—adding more than 4 billion tonnes of emissions.

Queensland Conservation Council’s Coal and Gas Campaigner, Charlie Cox, said the new platform aims to help Queenslanders understand what’s being proposed and where.

“Coal Watch is about shining a light on the scale and impact of these projects,” Mr Cox said. “It’s a tool for anyone who wants to take action or simply understand what’s being planned in their area.”

He said the platform provides accessible data on project locations, estimated emissions, and potential environmental effects, and will support local groups and residents in their engagement with the planning system.

“There’s a strong and growing community of people across Queensland who are calling for a smarter, fairer, and more sustainable future.

“While we’ve seen rhetoric from political leaders suggesting coal can somehow be ‘environmentally sustainable’, Queenslanders know the difference between spin and reality.”

More information and full details of the 28 proposed projects can be found at https://www.lockthegate.org.au/coal_watch and on the QCC website.

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