It is reported that the Queensland Government is confident that Bowen Basin coal mines can withstand a forecast heavy wet season.

Several mines discharged contaminated water into the Fitzroy River during flooding in 2008, raising concerns about the impact on the river system and Great Barrier Reef.

The State Government has since inspected 20 Bowen Basin coal mines.

Ms Kate Jones Queensland Sustainability Minister says tougher guidelines have been imposed since then and the mines have taken steps to reduce the impact of water. She said the inspections identified water storage that may have the potential for discharge or embankment failures and have made sure money has been spent to make sure it does not happen.

Ms Jones says another focus of the inspections was on mine water storage monitoring locations water release points and also receding water. She says she will listen to the concerns of property owners about actions taken by the Ensham mine near Emerald.

She added that "My understanding is that they have been undertaking quite significant levee bank work to deal with a one in 100 year flood up to a much higher standard of a one on 1,000 year flood."

She also said "This work was approved both by the Department of Resource Management and the Nogoa River Floodplain Board. If anyone does have any concerns, I would ask them to contact the Department of Resource Management and we will investigate."

(Sourced from www.abc.net.au)