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Australian Conservation Foundation and Mackay Conservation Group

Qld Land Court to deliver judgment today in challenge to Whitehaven's Winchester South coal mine

Australian Conservation Foundation and Mackay Conservation Group

What: The Queensland Land Court will deliver its judgment in a challenge to the proposed Whitehaven Coal’s Winchester South coal mine

The Australian Conservation Foundation and Mackay Conservation Group argued the court should recommend no lease be granted for the Winchester South project – one of Australia’s largest proposed new coal projects, 100% for export – due to its significant environmental impacts.  

This case was the first time an Australian court heard arguments about the International Court of Justice landmark Advisory Opinion on States Obligations in Respect of Climate Change under international law. 

When: 30 October 2026, 4pm Qld time

Where: Level 8 of the Brisbane Magistrates Court building, 363 George St, Brisbane

Available for comment afterwards:          

Adam Beeson (Australian Conservation Foundation legal counsel)

Imogen Lindenberg (Mackay Conservation Group coordinator)

Nicole Sommer (Environmental Defenders Office principal lawyer)

At Winchester South in the Bowen Basin, Whitehaven plans to: 

  • Dig six huge mine pits to extract up to 17 million tonnes of thermal and metallurgical coal each year for 28 years, generating at least 583 million tonnes of climate pollution – more than the entire annual emissions of Australia.
  • Release huge volumes of methane into the air, adding to the already severely underreported methane coming from the Bowen Basin.  
  • Destroy at least 2,000 hectares of wildlife habitat that is home to endangered and threatened species including koalas, greater gliders, the Australian painted snipe, the ornamental snake and squatter pigeon.
  • Take large quantities of water from the Isaac floodplain and groundwater aquifers. 

ACF and MCG were represented in court by the Environmental Defenders Office. 

Images available on request. The judgment will not be live streamed.


Contact details:

Josh Meadows (ACF) 0439 342 992 and Brooke Wylie (EDO) 0474 932 432