Opposition is mounting against plans to store carbon in the Great Artesian Basin (GAB).

A proposal has been put forth by Glencore to inject liquefied carbon dioxide into Australia's largest underground freshwater reservoir.

The contentious plan, orchestrated by Glencore subsidiary Carbon Transport and Storage Corporation (CTSCo), involves capturing and liquefying CO2 from the Millmerran coal-fired power station. 

The CO2 would then be transported to a storage well near Moonie, threatening the Precipice Sandstone aquifer, a crucial component of the GAB, which spans over a fifth of Australia's landmass.

Concerns are escalating among locals, farmers and other stakeholders who rely on the basin, with fears that the three-year trial could have disastrous consequences for the environment and the agricultural sector. 

CTSCo contends that the project's environmental impact will be minimal and localised, backed by independent reviews from scientific committees and organisations.

However, hydrogeologists have raised alarm bells about the proposal, stating that the corrosive fluid could cause a significant increase in groundwater acidity, mobilising heavy metals like arsenic and lead. 

Despite the company's assurance of thorough assessments, some have called for scrutiny by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, citing a lack of clarity in the model inputs and incomplete fieldwork.

A shift in language in Glencore's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has raised concerns among stakeholders too. 

The original EIS described the water as “saline” and “unsuitable” for agriculture, while the revised version suggested its usability in certain circumstances. Critics view this as a lack of confidence in the project's assessment.

Farmers and environmentalists are calling for the project's cancellation, expressing concerns about potential repercussions and the lack of guarantees regarding its outcomes.