A Queensland grazier has legally challenged a $4.2 billion coal mine slated for the Galilee Basin because he doesn't want to be "trodden on".
Queensland grazier Bruce Currie and his wife Annette are one of a number of parties objecting to GVK Hancock Coal's Kevin's Corner project.
The Curries claim the mine will be a direct neighbour and therefore pose a threat to two much-needed groundwater bores on their 63,000-acre cattle property, Speculation.
On the first day of a Land Court hearing in Brisbane, Mr Currie said his livelihood is on the line and urged other farmers to stand up or "be prepared to get trodden on."
"I've really got no choice. If we lose this groundwater, I lose my business," he told reporters outside court on Monday.
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"If we just sit back, when the impacts occur, it's too late."
Hancock Galilee Pty Ltd says preliminary modelling concluded it was unlikely the Great Artesian Basin would be affected.
Hancock lawyer Damien Clothier QC pointed out a coordinator-general's report found there were benefits the project, including some 1600 jobs during its operational phase and 1800 during the construction phase.
The report also concluded social impacts on local communities could be "mitigated and managed" by parameters set on the mine's approval.
Land Court Member Wayne Cochrane's decision will be complicated by impending changes to water laws.
The court heard a Newman government reform allowing resource companies to extract groundwater without a water licence comes into effect on December 6.
However uncertainty remains about whether the Palaszczuk government will repeal the reform, as promised.
The North Queensland Conservation Council is also challenging the project, with its coordinator Wendy Tubman telling the court the huge mine shouldn't go ahead until its full impacts were known.
For Mr Currie, it's not the first time he's felt threatened by a mining development.
The grazier moved to his current property out of fear mining operations would hinder his previous farm outside Capella.
"I've basically jumped from the fat to the fire, unknowingly," he said.
The hearing is expected to run for two weeks.
