Adani’s proposed Carmichael coal mine has been dealt another setback, after Queensland’s Environment Department rejected the mining hopeful’s management plan for the black-throated finch.

The management plan had been approved by the Federal Government, and is one of two approvals that need to be cleared by the State Government before work can begin on constructing the mine in the Galilee Basin.

Queensland’s Environment Department met with Adani on Thursday to outline a number of new commitments they want the Indian mining giant to meet before it can approve the plan.

“The department … has advised Adani that it cannot approve its black-throated finch management plan in its current form because it does not meet the requirements of the company’s environmental authority”, a spokesperson said.

“This position is based on the best available science.”

Adani can now submit a new or revised management plan for the bird.

The black-throated finch population at the site represents the largest known population of the endangered southern species, the spokesperson said.

The commitments sought include: gathering more information on the population, committing to a limited grazing regime in the project area, and providing sufficient detail of research that will determine availability of seed throughout the year.

‘Queensland Government caving to the Greens’

Adani has mining and environmental licences from the Queensland Government but it still needs the state to sign off on two environmental plans – one for the black-throated finch and one for groundwater.

Adani managed to get federal approval for its groundwater plan on the eve of the Morrison Government hitting caretaker mode in the election campaign.

Adani’s Carmichael coal mine site in central Queensland’s Galilee Basin, taken last year. Photo: Twitter

Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan said the State Government’s decision was a classic example of the Labor Party siding with the Greens.

“We’ve seen Bob Brown and his convoy come up here this week, we’ve seen the Labor Party do a preference deal with the Greens and surprise, surprise, the Labor Party once again caved in to the demands of the Greens and the likes of Bob Brown,” he said.

“It’s the same management plan that’s been approved by the regulators and scientists at a Federal Government level.

Bob Brown’s Stop Adani convoy travelled through major cities in April, rallying against the proposed mine. Photo: ABC

“The reason they’re singling out this mine is because the Greens have asked them to do it.”

Stop Adani Townsville spokeswoman Wendy Tubman said she was not surprised it failed to meet the environmental requirements.

“We’re talking about an endangered species, we’re talking at a time where we are facing its mass extinction worldwide and we have to take protection of our endangered species very seriously,” she said.

Adani has been contacted for comment.

–ABC