The Queensland government has been urged to reject the proposal for Australia's largest coal mine as the Land Court hears summaries of evidence presented during a legal challenge to the plans.
Lobby group Coast and Country has objected to Adani's $16.5 billion Carmichael mine in the Galilee Basin on environmental, ecological and economic grounds.
They have called on the Palaszczuk government to heed the warnings arising from their legal challenge and reject the mine completely.
Their lawyer Saul Holt on Thursday told the court the impact on groundwater would damage the nearby Doongmabulla Springs, which were of exceptional ecological value.
The mine's opponents say it could also affect a significant population of the endangered black throated finch and potentially damage the delicate waxy cabbage palm.
The Environmental Impact Statement failed to impose effective measures to mitigate the risks and was based on deficient information, Mr Holt said.
"This is the epitome of a case where the precautionary principle ought to call for the application to be refused," he said during a summary of the evidence.
He said the economics of thermal coal had dramatically changed over recent years, accusing Adani of grossly overstating the jobs and royalties expected to be generated.
But Adani has stood by its claims that more than 10,000 jobs will be created, including those associated with a 300-kilometre rail link and port expansion at Abbot Point.
In response to climate change concerns about burning the exported coal, Adani argued resource-hungry overseas markets would simply find another source if the project fell over.
"One is responsible for the harm that one does, regardless of whether or not someone else is otherwise going to step in and do it or not," Mr Holt said.
Adani's lawyer, Peter Ambrose, will address the court on Thursday afternoon.
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