Critics of Glencore's proposal to store carbon dioxide from the Millmerran power station in an underground aquifer at a site in Moonie, west of Toowoomba, are raising alarms about the risks involved in such a project. Queensland Premier Steven Miles expressed doubts about the project's ability to meet the stringent environmental standards required in the region. The Great Artesian Basin, known as one of the largest underground freshwater reservoirs globally, is at the center of this controversy, with concerns about potential contamination from stored CO2.
Glencore's assertion that the CO2 is "food grade" and poses no risks to agricultural or town drinking water is met with skepticism following a commissioned report indicating a potential rise in lead and arsenic levels in groundwater. Farming groups like AgForce have initiated legal action against the federal government's decision not to classify the project as a "controlled action" under environmental laws, further underscoring the contentious nature of the initiative. The premier's comments at Beef Australia in Rockhampton have fueled the debate, with stakeholders like Federal LNP member Colin Boyce welcoming the critical stance towards the project.
With an ongoing environmental impact assessment by the Queensland government, the fate of the carbon storage project remains uncertain. Concerned stakeholders, including local businesses reliant on groundwater like Ken Cameron's pork operation, are urging for more robust protections for the Great Artesian Basin. Calls for federal legislation to safeguard this critical water source are growing, highlighting the broader implications of the proposed CO2 storage project in the region. Despite Glencore's insistence on following the established CCS approvals process, environmental concerns and opposition from various quarters continue to cast a shadow over the project's future.