The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) has criticised the Land Court over its ruling on the Wandoan mining project in the Surat Basin on southern Queensland's Western Downs.
Yesterday, the state's Land Court gave the final go-ahead for the Xstrata mining company to develop Australia's biggest open-cut coal mine near Wandoan, north-west of Toowoomba.
The Land Court recommended the Queensland Government approve the project and new Liberal National Party (LNP) Premier Campbell Newman says he is excited at the prospect.
Lobby group Friends of the Earth and seven local landholders had tried to halt the project on environmental grounds and say they are devastated with the court's decision.
Farmers say the development will consume prime food-production land and destroy lifestyles.
However, the new LNP Government disputes the claim the mine will be built on prime farmland.
Xstrata's plans have the potential to see the largest open-cut coal mine in the Southern Hemisphere and at the very least, it would be Australia's biggest open-cut coal mine.
ABC News
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