Petition pressures State Govt to fast-track Darling Downs coal mine

More than 1000 people have signed a petition pressuring the State Government to fast-track approving the expansion of the New Acland coal mine.

MORE than 1000 people have signed a petition pressuring the State Government to fast-track approving the expansion of the New Acland coal mine.

The strong support has defied expectations of the unified industry bodies behind it - the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Oakey Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise.

TSBE CEO Ali Davenport said 1020 people had signed the online petition in two days, with signatories coming from a cross-section of business and industry sectors.

"It's good to see because this mine actually effected so many in this community, and so many businesses do rely on this mine," she said.

"The mine is buying products locally, and if we lose 150 people from that workforce, it's going to be a real blow to our regional economy."

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Jo Sheppard first raised the idea of the petition at The Chronicle's Future Toowoomba industry luncheon, and it had been planned to run for several weeks.

However, due to the overwhelming early support, Ms Davenport said it would close within the next week before being handed to the State Government.

To sign the petition, head to this link.