Regional Council over delays and additional costs linked to the Carmichael Mine access road. Bravus Mining and Resources has been given leave by the Supreme Court of Queensland to file a counterclaim of approximately $22 million against Isaac Regional Council in a long-running dispute over the access road to the Carmichael Mine. The 96-kilometre Mine Access Road links the mine, located more than 300 kilometres south-west of Mackay, to the nearest major road. The mine has been exporting coal since 2021 and recently secured approval to increase production to 16 million tonnes annually. According to court documents, Bravus had contracted Mendi Construction Pty Ltd to build sections of the road to agreed specifications. The council later introduced revised engineering standards requiring a wider road and different barrier slopes, prompting redesign work and a halt to planned sealing works. Bravus claims it incurred substantial costs from dust suppression, traffic control and project delays. Justice Sean Cooper noted the expanded counterclaim would significantly broaden the dispute and indicated that the trial may now be delayed until the second half of 2027. Local grazier David Luke said ongoing use of the largely unsealed road continues to generate dust, noise and safety concerns for nearby residents and livestock.