Bottle tree moved to accommodate expansion of New Acland Mine near Oakey

A 120-year-old bottle tree has been saved from the wood chipper after it was moved to make way for the expanding New Acland Mine.

A 120-year-old bottle tree has found new roots at the entrance of New Acland Mine.

A 120-year-old bottle tree has been saved from the wood chipper after it was delicately moved to accommodate the expanding New Acland Mine.

The tree was likely planted some time between the late 1880s and early 1900s at a property on Acland Silverleigh Rd.

This property is set to be mined as work progresses on the Willeroo pit, which forms part of their stage 3 expansion.

Rather than destroy the 8m tall tree, the mine operator transplanted it to the facility’s entrance.

The transplanting was a collaboration involving the NAC Operations and Environment team, Ace of Spades Tree Relocators and Loughlin Crane Hire.

NAC general manager Dave O’Dwyer said the project reinforced the operator’s commitment to environmental sustainability and rehabilitation.

“NAC’s Operations and Environment teams oversaw the project, partnering with local contractors Ace of Spades Tree Relocators and Loughlin Crane Hire,” he said.

“There collective efforts mean the bottle tree will be able to thrive for generations to come.”

In July, work began on New Acland Mine’s 13.5km Lagoon Creek Conservation Zone, which will require more than 3000 trees to be planted over the next decade.

The tree was first planted at a property on Acland-Silverleigh Road that is set to be mined.

Stretching through the mining operation, the Lagoon Creek Conservation Zone will widen the vegetation corridor along Lagoon Creek to more than 100m.

Work at the mine restarted in early 2023 after a decade-long fight to secure a mining lease and water licence for its stage 3 expansion, which will more than triple the mine’s footprint.

At the peak of construction, there will be about 600 workers at mine, with a permanent workforce of about 400-full time jobs through its operational lifetime.

Originally published as Bottle tree moved to accommodate expansion of New Acland Mine near Oakey