New Acland Coal and its 250+ workers have received Stage 3 certainty.
Last week, Oakey Coal Action Alliance (OCAA), represented by the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO), filed a notice of withdrawal and discontinuance in its Land Court of Queensland appeal against the Queensland Government’s decision to grant an Associated Water Licence to New Acland Mine Stage 3.
The Land Court of Queensland has now formally confirmed the OCAA appeal proceedings are finalised and closed.
The notice of withdrawal and discontinuance ends OCAA’s Stage 3 legal challenges and enables New Acland Coal to fast-track its operational ramp up plan without the threat of ongoing legal action.
OCAA, through the EDO, was challenging the Queensland Government’s decision to grant New Acland Mine Stage 3 an Associated Water Licence, putting at risk hundreds of secure, well-paid, regional jobs.
The Associated Water Licence was subject to exhaustive reviews, comment and assessment by independent experts, peer reviewers, objectors, State regulators and Commonwealth agencies, in advance of, and during, the Associated Water Licence application process.
New Acland Coal General Manager, Dave O’Dwyer said the conclusion of OCAA’s final legal challenge is a landmark day for the Darling Downs.
“It is a moment of celebration for our workforce, their families and our supporters, including local farmers, landholders, business leaders and the local community” Mr O’Dwyer said.
“The conclusion of OCAA’s final legal challenge ends an 18-year approvals process and eliminates the anxiety for our workforce and their loved ones.
“The full-time-permanent workforce on site has more than doubled over the past 18 months, with more than 250 workers currently on site.
“This number is set to increase in the coming months as we ramp up with certainty and return to full production.”
Throughout the life of the project, the permanent workforce will be approximately 400 full-time roles, made up of Darling Downs locals.
Unlike a lot of other mines in Queensland, New Acland Coal does not engage fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers, with more than 90 per cent of the current workforce living within 50 kilometres of the site.