Glencore asks Murray Watt to sacrifice koala habitat for coal mine

Australia’s largest coal producer, Glencore, has applied to the Federal Government to extend its Hail Creek open cut coal mine, near Nebo in Central Queensland.

The mine is controversial due to peer reviewed studies identifying it as a ‘super polluter’ and claiming that it has under-reported its methane emissions.

The new proposal would extend the mine’s life for three years to 2038, mining an additional 29 million tonnes of coal.

Environmental advocates are calling on federal environment minister Murray Watt to reject the project due to its emissions and the impacts it would have on koala habitat.

The mine would clear 600 hectares, equivalent to over 300 football fields, of high quality koala habitat directly adjacent to the Homevale National Park. According to University of Queensland zoologist Bill Ellis, the affected koala population is of ‘national significance’.

Under Australia’s environment laws, Minister Watt can declare the project “clearly unacceptable”, meaning it cannot proceed any further through the approvals process.

“If environment minister Murray Watt is serious about the Albanese Government’s ‘no new extinctions’ policy he will immediately reject this destructive coal mine to prevent the bulldozing of over 300 football fields worth of koala habitat, said Central Queensland coordinator for Lock the Gate, Dr Claire Gronow.

“In November 2025, Minister Watt stood in front of Parliament and said that Australia has “a crucial responsibility to protect and restore habitat” for Australia’s unique and special species.  He also said that Australia had to ‘lead by example and practice what we preach’.

“Here is his chance to do exactly that, by stopping a coal mine that will destroy nationally significant koala habitat.”

The Glencore extension follows a separate proposal for an entirely new coal mine near Blackwater, Queensland, by coal company Magnetic South.

“The Hail Creek extension proposal follows hot on the heels of another new coal proposal, the Washpool mine, that the Albanese Government is assessing, said Rod Campbell, research director at the Australia Institute.

“Two new coal projects by the start of February is a shocking start to 2026, a year in which Climate Minister Chris Bowen will try to convince the world that Australia is phasing out fossil fuels.”