Isaac Regional Council dissatisfied with Adani's behaviour in Carmichael Mine development

Isaac Regional Council has expressed its dissatisfaction with the behaviour of Adani over development of the Carmichael mine. 

At its monthly meeting today, Council unanimously supported an urgent Mayoral Minute raising several issues in relation to work to date on the mine. 

“Frankly, Isaac Regional Council have lost patience with the behaviour of this company,” Mayor Anne Baker said.

“We are disappointed with Adani’s treatment of local landholders and their non-compliance with some of their obligations, and also disappointed by exclusive job advertising in and around Rockhampton and Townsville and not local communities like Clermont.  

“Adani are not being good corporate citizens and we remind them that their social licence to operate is a precious thing they should value and protect.”

Council’s Chief Executive Officer was authorised to take necessary action to address Council’s concerns and will communicate with Adani with details of the Mayoral Minute expressing Council’s concerns. 

The Mayoral Minute reads: 

On reflection of Council’s experiences in dealing with Adani over various aspects of the Carmichael Mine development and in light of recent circumstances of a local landowner being significantly and detrimentally impacted by the mine project, it is appropriate for Council to re-state its position in relation to responsible development and mining companies’ social licence to operate. 

I therefore move; 

THAT Council; 

1.       having carefully considered its observations expresses strong empathy for local stakeholders that are detrimentally impacted by the Carmichael Mine project; 

2.       re-states its long-held and often advocated position of support for mining development only where it is done responsibly and with due regard to social, environmental and economic impacts; 

3.       expresses its strong dissatisfaction over Adani’s handling of the Carmichael Mine project as it relates to the following aspects (not exhaustive); 

·       the ongoing dispute with a nearby landowner and the apparent lack of commitment by Adani to resolve such dispute despite Council’s concerted attempts to mediate, 

·       the ongoing legal dispute between Council and Adani about standards for road construction in accordance with the Infrastructure Access Agreement, 

·       the abject failure of Adani to manage its recruitment for project workers in accordance with the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act by advertising most positions with an exclusive focus on Rockhampton/Capricorn Coast and Townsville/North Queensland despite Council’s repeated representations to Adani and the State Government on behalf of its local communities, 

·       the ongoing failure of Adani to meet its obligations with respect to Stage 1 works and its requests for concession (including repeated extension of deadlines) from Council under the Infrastructure Access Agreement, 

·       the failure of Adani to manage the project traffic safely on the Mine Access Road with particular concern about construction standards (batters), severe dust and temporal condition of sections of the road; 

4.       calls on Adani to critically review its approach and to do the right thing by stakeholders, road users, local communities and Council; and 

5.       instructs the Chief Executive Officer to take all action reasonably open to Council to ensure Adani’s compliance with its obligations under legislation, approvals granted by State and Commonwealth Government and the Infrastructure Access Agreement including advocacy, formal dispute and legal action where necessary. 

The minute was unanimously supported by Councillors.

ENDS