New Acland coal mine: New Hope to recruit more than 60 new workers within weeks

The company behind the New Acland coal mine plans to hire more workers within weeks to assist with the project’s expansion. It comes as activists attempt to challenge a key licence granted to it by the state government.

Dozens of new workers will be hired within weeks to start on the expansion of the New Acland coal mine outside Oakey.

Mine owner New Hope Group this week launched a job assessment centre in Oakey for potential employees.

New Acland general manager Dave O’Dwyer said the company wanted to recruit more than 60 new operators and maintainers over the coming weeks.

“Until Friday, we will hold a series of sessions with prospective New Acland Mine employees to determine their suitability for operator and maintainer roles,” he said.

“These sessions will include one-on-one interviews, group activities and aptitude tests.

“Following the sessions, we will extend job offers to approximately 60 operators and maintainers, who will become our initial production team.

“The latest round of job offers mean there will be more than a hundred employees on site at New Acland Mine by the end of February.”

It comes as farmers and activists again ramped up legal opposition to the mine’s expansion, applying for a review of the state government’s decision to issue an associated water licence to the project.

“We strongly believe, based on the expert evidence we have submitted, that the Queensland Water Department has made a shocking error of judgment by granting an AWL to New Acland,” Oakey Coal Action Alliance secretary Paul King said.

“New Acland stage three will affect nearby dairy farmers who rely on water bores for their businesses.

“Farmers fear these bores will deplete or dry up after the mine starts operating.”