New Hope’s New Acaland Stage Three Project finally opens 16 years after first mining application

One of Australia’s most scrutinised mining projects officially opened for business on Wednesday, with both hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars set to flow back to its surrounding community.

New Acland Mine General Manager Dave O’Dwyer, Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart and New Hope Group CEO Rob Bishop at the official opening of the New Acland Stage Three Project. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Sixteen years after it began its mining application one of Australia’s most scrutinised mining projects officially opened on Wednesday morning, with the Queensland Government declaring its full backing for a coal mine set to re-invigorate the south east’s economy.

The New Acland Stage Three Project owned by New Hope has survived six prime ministers and four state premiers across 16 years of environmental scrutiny and legal challenges, one of which reached the Australian High Court.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the New Acland Stage Three Project, around two hours west of Brisbane. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Queensland’s Resources Minister Scott Stewart, who was on hand on Wednesday to cut the blue ribbon, was unequivocal in declaring the State Labor Government’s full support for the project.

“I can bring it down to three words,’’ Mr Stewart said, referring to the long struggle to get the mine up and running. “We did it.’’

Mr Stewart said kids sitting in schools across the Darling Downs would be the major beneficiaries of the project whether as miners, tyre fitters or hairdressers, and all could stay within the community they grew up in.

The mine hires almost its entire workers from the surrounding community, and pours back in millions of dollars in corporate sponsorship to local clubs and organisations.

New Hope Group CEO, Rob Bishop, said the first coal would be extracted well before the end of the year while the company would be continuing to hire for the construction phase.