Oakey Coal Action Alliance jubilant over major victory in fight against New Acland Coal Mine

The shock of their victory is still setting in, with Wednesday morning’s High Court win described as a “total vindication” for the Oakey Coal Action Alliance.

It was hard for Paul King and Aileen Harris to control the excitement in their voices as they contemplated the news from the High Court on Wednesday morning.

They had won.

“I’m still in shock to be honest, even though it was a couple of hours ago now,” Mrs Harris, president of the Oakey Coal Action Alliance, said.

“I’m absolutely amazed that we’ve got that far … so yes, having had the experience of a high court (case and having won it is a rather unique privilege to have had.”

Mr King, OCAA secretary, said the group – founded on the principal of protecting closely settled agricultural districts – had been “totally vindicated”.

While it’s not the end of the saga – the applications for New Acland Stage 3’s mining leases and amended environmental authority have been sent back to the Land Court for re-hearing, Mr King said that process was “something that puts obstacles in the way of Stage 3 that we don’t think can be overcome”.

Oakey Coal Action Alliance secretary Paul King and president Aileen Harrison react to the High Court decision on New Acland coal mine, Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The High Court of Australia sent New Acland Coal Mine’s Stage 3 expansion back to the Land Court for a fresh hearing, in a decision delivered Wednesday morning.

Originally published as Oakey Coal Action Alliance jubilant over major victory in fight against New Acland Coal Mine