LEGAL action against a Federal Government decision to green light a plan to inject waste CO2 into the Great Artesian Basin is set to proceed, even after the project was blocked at state level.

AgForce says protection of the vital water resource needs to happen at national level and reversing a decision from 2022 to declare a carbon capture project in the GAB not controlled under Federal law is a way of doing that.

The project in question was a proposed plan by mining giant Glencore to truck waste CO2 away from its Condamine Power Station and pump it into an aquifer of the GAB. It drew protests from agricultural groups, politicians and was ultimately blocked by the state environment department and GAB carbon capture projects were banned in Qld.

Under the former Coalition Government, the project was declared to be not covered under environmental law and allowed to proceed for its state approvals.

AgForce has taken that decision to court, arguing that it is clearly a matter of national significance given the GAB covers multiple states and multiple project are coming in behind Glencore’s.

Chief executive officer Michael Guerin said AgForce would prefer the current environment minister Tanya Plibersek reverse the 2022 decision and the discussions about protecting the GAB happen outside of court.

“We have given the minister all the details she needs to demonstrate that the correct procedure was not followed,” Mr Guerin said.

Mr Guerin said the other option was to take it to court at a great economic and emotional expense. He said it was disappointing the first option wasn’t being taken up.

“That she continues to refuse to do so confounds us and is why AgForce will likely need to take up the allocated court dates.

“There is still a small window of opportunity though. Should the Minister decide to review that decision and determine it is a ‘controlled action’, she does not need to speculate what the ensuing review by the scientific panel would say.”

Minister Plibersek said she can not comment due to the ongoing legal proceedings.

Nationals support carbon capture, but not in the GAB

Carbon capture and storage, which is the direct pumping of waste from coal and gas-fired power into the group, appears to be still on the table.

It is a practice that happens across the world and has some support from Labor to help it reach its emissions targets.

This week the Coalition has proposed a plan to bring nuclear into its energy mix and abandon the current 2030 emissions target, which is a major driver of capture and storage projects.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said his party supported carbon capture and storage, but in the right places. In the wake of the state government knocking back Glencore’s plan, Mr Littleproud said the GAB was not an option for carbon capture.

“The Great Artesian Basin is an important water source for farmers and communities in Queensland. It’s imperative we protect it and that proper, thorough assessments are undertaken for any sequestration project.

“While we support carbon capture storage, it has to be in the appropriate place. The technology is emerging and we support that, but it has to be done at an appropriate pace where we have confidence in the approval process.”

• AgForce and the Federal Government are due back in court in August