Another 30-odd New Acland Coal Mine workers facing redundancy as coal reserves dwindle

After the High Court decided to return the New Acland Coal Mine Stage 3 project to the Land Court for re-hearing, further job losses were inevitable.

Michael Hartin, CFMEU rep. Meeting at Oakey Showgrounds regarding Acland mine. Saturday. 25th Oct 2020

Another 30-odd New Acland Coal Mine workers are facing redundancies as coal reserves dwindle in the face of an ongoing Land Court fight over the mine’s Stage 3 expansion.

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union representative Michael Hartin confirmed consultation between the union and the mine had begun.

He said there was a “firm deadline” on when the next lot of 30-odd workers would be made redundant, with people to be tapped on the shoulder and given their six weeks notice on April 10.

Mr Hartin said the mood among his fellow workers was “pretty low”.

“It’s certainly disappointing to see us stuck on the environmental roundabout within the court system,” he said.

“It’s disappointing to have to see it go back to Land Court again.

“Everyone realises that the reserves are now depleted, so it is now just a matter of waiting until your number’s called.”

The High Court in February ordered fresh hearings into the planned New Acland Mine Stage 3 expansion, allowing the Oakey Coal Action Alliance’s appeal.

OCAA has been fighting the mine’s expansion through the courts since 2016.

Mr Hartin said the project had gone from employing 350 people at its height, to around 100.

Mr Hartin said that if no approvals were forthcoming, more workers would be sacked and the mine would be placed into care and maintenance around November.

“Look, I know speaking to some business owners they’re certainly feeling the effects (of the mine’s ramp-down),” Mr Hartin said.

“We’re seeing reduced traffic coming through the townships, It lends further weight as to why the expansion should proceed.”

OCAA has opposed the mine on the basis it believes the expansion will impact the region’s groundwater and prime agricultural land.

The matter will return to the Land Court for a directions hearing at 2pm on Friday, April 23.