New set back for controversial Darling Downs mine as court to hear challenge

A long-delayed coal mine expansion is being delayed further after the High Court agreed to hear a challenge against it going ahead.

A CONTROVERSIAL coal mine which has waited almost 13 years for approval will have to wait a little longer after the High Court agreed to hear a case against the Darling Downs’ proposal.

Environmentalists and farmers who have long opposed the mine were today celebrating the High Court’s decision, arguing New Acland Stage Three would destroy precious agricultural land.

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The mine proposal has long divided the community and has become totemic in the battle against coal with former shock jock Alan Jones a vocal critic and the Palaszczuk Government refusing to allow it to proceed until all legal avenues are exhausted.

In a statement, Oakey Coal Action Alliance secretary Paul King said the High Court’s decision would give those who had fought against the mine “renewed hope”.

Lock the Gate Alliance Queensland spokeswoman Ellie Smith said the decision should hopefully lead to vital land being saved.

The High Court has agreed to hear a challenge against the approval of the controversial New Acland coal mine expansion. Photography: Russell Shakespeare

“If the New Acland Stage Three thermal coal mine is approved, it would destroy more than 1,300 hectares of mapped Strategic Cropping Land and drain 365 water bores,” she said.

“This mine would kill farming jobs and threaten food production, including 10 million litres of milk, at a time when it is needed more than ever.”

However, miner New Hope continued to push for the project to be approved by the Government so it could protect and create jobs.

“We know from discussions with various Government departments that they have all the information they need to grant the approvals,” New Hope chief Andrew Boyd said.

“By acting now, the Government will not only protect the current 150 jobs at New Acland but will allow us to get moving on stage three and create more than 450 new jobs and pump $7 billion into the State economy.

“In the current environment, job creating projects like New Acland Stage Three are vital for the state’s recovery.”

Federal Resources Minister Keith Pitt said the fate of the project now rested “squarely with the Queensland Government, which he called on to “stop hiding behind lawyers and make a decision”.

“Today’s decision has highlighted the fact that the biggest obstacle to investment and jobs in regional Queensland through New Hope is the Palaszczuk Labor Government,” he said.

“Annastacia Palaszcuk cannot stand by and watch these jobs disappear,” he said.

He said regional Queensland was sick of the government’s “delaying tactics” which had also held up projects such as Adani’s Carmichael coal mine and wanted leaders to “support investment and jobs”.

“This is now a true test for (Treasurer) Cameron Dick of whether he really supports Queensland resources and regional jobs, or is just another ‘Trad lite’ beholden to ideological left,” he said.