The Environmental Authority includes the Coordinator General’s stated conditions, which were detailed in the Change Report released late last month.

The landmark development follows six months of extensive consultation with New Hope Group and key stakeholders and means the Queensland Government can now finalise the remaining New Acland Stage 3 approvals.

New Hope Group CEO Rob Bishop said the Queensland Department of Environment and Science’s decision to award New Acland Stage 3 Environmental Authority enables the project’s Mining Leases and Associated Water Licence to be granted.

“The Land Court process, the Coordinator General’s consultation process and now the Queensland Department of Environment and Science’s process has allowed everyone, including the project’s objectors, to have their say,” Mr Bishop said.

“New Acland Stage 3 is the most reviewed, assessed and scrutinised resources project in Queensland’s history.

“We’re delighted the Queensland Department of Environment and Science agrees that New Acland Stage 3 stacks up environmentally.

“The historic development means New Acland Stage 3’s Mining Leases and Associated Water Licence can now proceed to be granted.

“Groundwater, the subject of the Associated Water Licence application, has been subject to exhaustive reviews, comment and assessment by independent experts, peer reviewers, objectors, State regulators and Commonwealth agencies, in advance of, or during, the Associated Water Licence Application process.

“Groundwater is regulated by existing Water Act management area conditions and conditions established by the Coordinator General, the Department of Environment and Science and the Federal Minister for the Environment.

“It’s also essential to understand that the New Acland Mine does not rely on groundwater bores for any of its mining operations. The mine purchases all its water requirements from the Wetalla Wastewater Reclamation Facility under an existing long term supply contract with the Toowoomba Regional Council.”

Once approved, local workers, contractors and local businesses will benefit to the tune of $1 billion over the life of the New Acland Stage 3 project.

At the peak of construction, there will be close to 600 local workers on site at New Acland Mine. Throughout the life of the project, the permanent workforce will be approximately 400 full-time roles, made up of Darling Downs locals.