A probe into alleged breaches of erosion control requirements on the Carmichael Rail Network construction project has found room for improvement, but no fundamental shortcomings in procedures.

The Office of the Coordinator-General completed an investigation into the sediment and erosion controls in place along the construction corridor after complaints from the Mackay Conservation Group.

MCG produced images after heavy rainfall as possible evidence that conditions imposed on the Bravus Mining and Resources (formerly Adani Mining) project to protect nearby waterways from contamination may have been breached. 

The investigation included a site visit by staff from the Office of the Coordinator-General and independent consultants Water Technology.

A spokesman for the Office of the Coordinator-General said the report Water Technology completed found adequate erosion and sediment control measures were in place.

But it found they could be further improved in two areas –  contractors needed to avoid conducting work in waterflow areas during the wet season and they must ensure control measures were completed prior to closing down worksites during the wet season.

“The Office of the Coordinator-General has specified the improvements which Bravus and their contractors need to put in place,” the spokesman said.

“There will be continuing monitoring by the Office of the Coordinator-General to ensure full compliance. If the required improvements are put in place there will be no statutory enforcement steps taken.”

A Bravus Mining and Resources spokeswoman described the allegations by Environmental Justice Australia and Mackay Conservation Group as the latest tactic in a decade-long misinformation campaign by the anti-fossil fuel movement to undermine the reputation of the Carmichael project and halt or delay its construction.

 “As part of the investigation the Coordinator Generator provided a number of recommendations and we will put these measures in place as suggested,” she said.

 “Bravus takes our environmental obligations seriously and we have erosion and sediment control measures in place at our construction sites to ensure we comply with our environmental approvals for daily operations and extreme weather events. 

 “The Carmichael project has some of the strictest environmental conditions ever imposed on a mining project in Australia.

 “Bravus holds over 100 environmental approvals, and manages thousands of conditions and commitments to the environment.

 “Our environmental plans and strategies were prepared by experts with many of these plans also reviewed by third-party specialists.” 

Call to strengthen environmental protection conditions

MCG today said the expert report by Water Technology showed that Bravus was not following best practice erosion and sediment control guidelines. 

“It’s critically important that the Coordinator General’s office strengthen the project conditions to specifically prohibit any construction works in waterways during the wet season,” campaign manager Sunny Hungerford said.

“The fact that Adani can get away with this shows just how weak and ineffective the environmental conditions the Queensland Government has imposed on Adani are. In this case Adani was allowed to get away with failing to prepare for flood events and causing pollution of waterways. 

“Adani appears to have a full deck of get out of jail free cards, but Queenslanders expect better management of our precious water and natural assets.”