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Position statement regarding the threat to the Black-throated Finch by mining, infrastructure development and associated changes to land management in the Galilee Basin

The range of the Black-throated Finch (southern sub-species) ( Poephila cincta cincta ) has contracted substantially from its historical extent and the total population of the species is greatly reduced. As a consequence it is listed as Endangered under Queensland, New South Wales and Commonwealth legislation. There has been an observed decline in extent of occurrence of up to 59% over the last decade. The largest populations known to persist are on the Townsville coastal plain and in the Galilee Basin. The former is at high risk from land- use change and is declining at an alarming rate. The latter is at high risk from mining development .

The largest known populations of Black-throated Finches occurs on Moray Downs and surrounding properties, north-west of Clermont in central Queensland. It consists of several hundred individual birds. A core part of the habitat utilised by this population is within the 28,000 ha footprint of the Carmichael mine. The Carmichael mine is proposed as a combined open-cut/underground operation. It has long been known that Black-throated Finches are persistently present in this area and at densities higher than elsewhere. The site provides a large area of habitat of exceptional quality – intact woodlands, historically light livestock grazing, woodlands and high grass diversity. A total of 87 square kilometres of Black- throated Finch habitat will be cleared and destroyed through the creation of the open pits, and a further 61 square kilometres of habitat may be degraded beyond repair due to ground water draw down caused by the underground mining.

Since 2004 the Black-throated Finch Recovery Team has been responsible for developing and co-ordinating the implementation of the BTF Recovery Plan by encouraging efforts to protect important habitat, and retain populations of the Black-throated Finch. The Recovery Team consists of people of a wide variety of backgrounds, affiliations and expertise, including research scientists, land managers, state and Australian government agency staff, environmental consultants and non-government organisations. It is the informed view of the Black-throated Finch Recovery Team that the Black-throated Finch is under very serious threat from planned mining developments in the Galilee Basin and, in particular, the Carmichael mine project. Assessment processes conducted to date have not accurately reflected the national significance of the population or the substantial threats now posed to this population. The measures proposed to manage and mitigate against the threats are inadequate.

A key element of proposed mitigation measures is the establishment of offset areas. Offset measures will not compensate for loss of habitat. This is because any prospective offset that consists of suitable habitat will already be supporting Black-throated Finches and so cannot provide habitat for displaced birds. If it is not currently occupied by Black-throated Finches,

The Black-Throated Finch Recovery Team. PO Box 1168. Aitkenvale. QLD 4814. email: [email protected]

www.blackthroatedfinch.com it is unlikely that it provides quality habitat and it cannot be converted to suitable habitat in a reasonable time frame. This is assuming that suitable habitat could be created from unsuitable habitat, and there is no evidence that this can be achieved. Any offset strategy will result in a net loss of habitat for the Black-throated Finch. A second key issue is that, if all proposed mine developments proceed in the Galilee Basin, there is not enough suitable habitat to provide adequate offsets for all of them – the cumulative loss of habitat for the species in this case could be terminal for the species in the region. Further, proposed offsets for one mine development, that fall within proposed exploration leases for other mines, are not protected against future developments. For example, prospective offsets for one mine may be on land that is developed in the future by another mine, and is therefore destroyed.

It is the view of the Black-throated Finch Recovery Team that:

1. Mining developments approved or imminent in the Galilee Basin will have serious detrimental and irreversible consequences for the Black-throated Finch in the region and nationally;

2. Proposed offset strategies and policy for the Black-throated Finch will not mitigate against the loss of habitat and other negative consequences associated with the mine development, and therefore not adequately address legislated obligations to protect this threatened species; and

3. The development of the Carmichael Coal Mine and other adjacent mines will further reduce the habitat, distribution, population and total numbers of the Black-throated Finch, which is likely to accelerate the trajectory of the species to becoming critically endangered.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Tony Grice, Chair; and Dr April Reside, on behalf of the Black-throated Finch Recovery Team

The Black-Throated Finch Recovery Team. PO Box 1168. Aitkenvale. QLD 4814. email: [email protected]