Pat Weir demands controversial mine decision to be handed down ‘in weeks’

The Opposition has demanded that the controversial New Acland Stage 3 be ticked off by the State Government immediately after the $1bn mine was granted environmental approval.

Opposition resources spokesman Pat Weir has called for the mining leases for the controversial New Acland Stage 3 to be granted “in weeks” following the $1bn mine’s environmental approval.

The mine’s owner New Hope Group is now relying on Resources Minister Scott Stewart to approve its mining lease which would create 400 full-time jobs for the Darling Downs workforce.

Mr Weir, the Member for Condamine, said the shutting of the mine had a massive impact on the township of Oakey and surrounds, and its businesses, community and schools.

He called for its lease to be given the green light as soon as possible to get the workers back “in weeks”.

Condamine MP Pat Weir has called for Resources Minister Scott Stewart to grant the mine’s lease.

“We have gone through the most rigorous process in history. It has been done to death. Let’s get this show on the road,” Mr Weir said.

“The minister now needs to come forward, grant the lease, get the associated water license with it and get everybody back to work.

“I would be hoping for weeks. This is not a blank sheet of paper. It has been going for 15 years and everyone has had a say.”

If approved by Mr Stewart, the project would proceed to the final stage of the process, which involves a licence to extract groundwater to be approved by the Department of Water.

New Hope Group chief executive Rob Bishop said the Queensland Department of Environment and Science’s decision to award environmental authority enabled the project’s lease and associated water licence to be granted.

Mr Bishop said the process had allowed the project’s objectors to have their say.

“New Acland Stage 3 is the most reviewed, assessed and scrutinised resources project in Queensland’s history,” Mr Bishop said.

“We’re delighted the Queensland Department of Environment and Science agrees that New Acland Stage 3 stacks up environmentally.

“The historic development means New Acland Stage 3’s Mining Leases and Associated Water Licence can now proceed to be granted.”

Mr Bishop said the water licence application had been subject to “exhaustive” reviews, comment and assessment by independent experts, objectors and regulators.

A new stage of the New Acland Mine is close to final approval. Image/Josh Woning

“It’s also essential to understand that the New Acland mine does not rely on groundwater bores for any of its mining operations,” he said.

“The mine purchases all its water requirements from the Wetalla Wastewater Reclamation Facility under an existing long term supply contract with the Toowoomba Regional Council.”

Greens MP Michael Berkman, who worked closely with advocates protesting against the project in his previous career as an environmental lawyer, expected the objections to the project’s water licensing to act as a final barrier to stall the approval.

He described the announcement of the environmental approval as a “devastating blow” to Acland locals and farmers.

Mr Weir said many of his constituents would be unhappy about the environmental approval.

“The process has run its course, they have had the opportunity to have their say on every step of the way and at the end of it, a decision has to be made and it should be in favour of the mine,” Mr Weir said.

If approved, the mine would generate about $1bn into the Darling Downs region over the life of the project and would create a permanent workforce of 400 full-time roles, made up of Darling Downs residents.

Originally published as Pat Weir demands controversial mine decision to be handed down ‘in weeks’