New Acland Coal has reached a significant milestone, with its 250th full-time employee starting work at New Acland Mine earlier this month.

The achievement comes less than two years after the Queensland Government critically assessed and approved the Stage 3 project.

New Acland Coal General Manager, Dave O’Dwyer said the 250th worker milestone reflects the ramp up of job opportunities on site.

“The 250th worker is another landmark day for the entire team at New Acland Coal, but importantly, there are plenty more to come,” Mr O’Dwyer said.

“The full-time-permanent workforce on site has doubled over the past 18 months.

“There are plenty of new, old faces who have returned to New Acland Mine.

“Excitingly, we have also welcomed a host of new-to-industry workers to the team and purchased new equipment which will help us return to full production.

“We’re proud to be a leading employer in the region, by offering well-paid, local jobs to hard-working Queenslanders.”

Brendan Dyson, a primary school teacher turner operator, is one of New Acland Coal’s new starters.

“I taught locally for more than 22 years, however, I was seeking a role that provided better work-life balance and a more active lifestyle,” Mr Dyson said.

“You obviously need to maintain a high level of professionalism as a teacher. I am proud to report the professionalism at the mine matches that of the classroom.

“Safety is the number one priority. I’ve never been forced to go faster, and I’m encouraged to do my best.

“I was nervous to start with, but I thought ‘What is there to lose?’ I took the leap, and I’m so grateful I did. I’m really enjoying it.”

Mirroring the expansion of Stage 3 is the ramp up of New Acland Coal’s support of the local community, which now extends to more than 50 local community groups, charities, schools, environmental groups and sporting teams.

This support is spearheaded by the New Acland Coal Community Investment Fund, which recently donated $75,000 to five local community initiatives.

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 Mine 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.

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