Greenies strike again at $1bn Qld coal mine

New Hope’s $900m expansion of the New Acland coal mine in southern Queensland is facing yet another legal challenge from environmentalists, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.

New Hope’s $900m expansion of the New Acland coal mine in southern Queensland is facing yet another legal challenge from environmentalists, threatening hundreds of jobs.

The challenge in the Land Court from the Oakey Coal Action Alliance (OCAA) comes only weeks after the long-delayed project on the Darling Downs west of Toowoomba was officially opened by Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart.

The latest challenge, which New Hope described as “lawfare tactics”, is to an associated water licence granted by the Queensland Government to pave the way for the project that was first mooted 16 years ago. Work is continuing on the mine site despite the legal action, the fourth such litigation against the project.

New Hope said the expansion will pump $1bn into the local economy over its lifetime. It has previously described the project as “the most scrutinised and assessed resources project in Queensland history”.

Queensland Minister for Resources, Scott Stewart, at the official opening of the New Acland Mine, Stage 3, about two hours west of Brisbane. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

The State Government finally signed off on environmental approvals in April with New Hope chair Robert Millner now saying he hoped the government could intervene to prevent yet more litigation in the Land Court.

In 2007, the then Bligh Government legislated to guarantee operations at Xstrata’s Wollombi operations near Moranbah after legal action by green groups threatened to stall the mine’s development.

“The legal challenge will create anxiety for the local community and for the workforce of over 100 employees who recently returned to work at the mine,” Mr Millner said.

“Less than two weeks ago, New Hope and the local communities around Acland and Oakey celebrated the official opening by the minister and have been getting on with the job of resuming operations.”

Vowing to challenge the expanding New Acland Coal mine's water licence in the Land Court are (from left) Gayle Pendler and Kushla Gale.

New Hope said local workers, contractors and local businesses will benefit to the tune of $1bn over the life of the project. At the peak of construction, there will be approximately 600 local workers at the mine with 400 full-time permanent roles.

The OCAA is being represented by the Environmental Defenders Office. EDO managing lawyer Revel Pointon said the New Acland mine carved out part of some of the best agricultural land in the country, risking unacceptable impacts to precious water resources in the process. “Our clients submit that the Queensland Government made an error in law when it approved the associated water licence,” Mr Pointon said.

“OCAA argue the groundwater impacts have still not been properly investigated and are so significant that this application to impact groundwater should have been refused.”

New Hope’s Millner said the company would be forced to spend “yet more time and resources” in responding to the “lawfare” tactics of the OCAA.

“The Queensland Government has confirmed the project stacks up environmentally, socially and financially and has praised New Acland for its focus on community and the local community as well as award-winning rehabilitation works,” New Hope’s Mr Millner said.

“The Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water originally granted the water licence after extensive review and then subsequently undertook a further extensive, independent review which affirmed the original decision.”

New Hope said that despite the legal challenge it will continue to ramp up operations at the mine while “it assesses and responds” to the litigation.

A spokesman from the Queensland Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water said it could not comment as the matter was before the court. New Hope shares fell 0.7 per cent to $5.09 Tuesday.

While Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk refused to intervene while the project was subject to repeated legal challenges, Minister Stewart gave it his seal of approval at the official opening. “What they have been able to do, New Hope, is to make sure this mine stacks up, financially, environmentally and socially and that is why they got the approval,” Mr Stewart said.

“This has really been a long piece of work. (New Hope) have got a great track record here, where around 95 per cent of the current staff are local which means they support the local community and local economy.”

Originally published as Greenies strike again at $1bn Qld coal mine