16 August, 2023
BOOST FOR NEW ACLAND MINE: Stay application dropped
The New Acland Coal Mine Stage 3 ramp-up is set to proceed after a stay application by the Oakey Coal Action Alliance (OCAA) was dropped.
The withdrawal followed discussions between both parties where New Hope Group confirmed the mining of overburden and coal from the yet to be developed Manning Vale West Pit is not expected before 1 September 2024 under the mine’s existing Stage 3 ramp-up plan.
OCAA says it’s satisfied that the groundwater in the West Pit will be protected for now, and as such, a stay application is no longer necessary.
The outcome means that OCAA will not attempt to mount another legal challenge to delay the project for the time being, and allows the New Hope Group to accelerate the mining activity already underway at Stage 3.
New Acland Mine General Manager, Dave O’Dwyer said the withdrawal of OCAA’s stay application is a welcome outcome for the site’s workers.
“Resolving the stay application with OCAA means we can start digging coal from the Manning Vale East Pit which is the first area we have been developing since the Queensland Government approved the project in October last year,” he said.
“We can also progress development of the planned adjacent Willeroo Pit and begin construction of the Lagoon Creek Crossing.
“While we have confirmed mining of overburden and coal in Manning Vale West Pit is not expected before 1 September 2024, we are able to undertake surface works, including the building of infrastructure, exploration and bore drilling on the site.”
Mr O’Dwyer said he was looking forward to hearing the Land Court’s final judgment on the project.
“OCAA’s withdrawal of the stay application allows us to extract coal with certainty while also having our day in Land Court to support the Queensland Government’s decision to approve Stage 3.”
OCAA secretary Paul King said the group will be keeping a close eye on operations at the mine and groundwater levels.
“We now have court orders that New Hope is limited in how it will conduct mining in Manningvale West pit,” he said.
“On the basis of this agreement and our current understanding of the risk of New Hope’s proposed activities, we’re now satisfied that the mining company’s other planned works will not interfere with groundwater, vital to farmers, before our objection to the Associated Water Licence is heard.
“Farmers can’t afford to lose the groundwater that sustains agriculture in this region.
“We’ve always said the Darling Downs is for farming, not mining.
“This is why we are challenging the granting of the Associated Water Licence in the Land Court.
“The original Land Court decision found in our favour on water in the mining objection hearing, and we will be making the strongest case possible that it should do so again.”
