Preparation work moves forward at New Acland after Land Court say application is withdrawn

The legal fight against New Acland Mine is running out of steam after environmentalists dropped their Land Court action that was intended to stop the miners from breaking ground.

The Oakey Coal Action Alliance has dropped its plan – via a stay application in the Land Court – to force workers at New Acland Mine to down tools while it appeals the operation’s associated water licence.

The move comes after the mine’s owner, New Hope Group, provided assurances through the court that it would not extract coal from the Manning Vale West Pit until September 1, 2024.

This is despite there being no prior plans to start extraction before this day in the Stage Three expansion road map.

Importantly, the assurances do not affect the Manning Vale East Pit or the Willeroo Pit which are set to be mined ahead of Manning Vale West.

In effect, New Hope Group has conceded no ground in the ongoing, 16-year legal battle to prevent the mine’s expansion.

New Acland Mine general manager Dave O'Dwyer. Photo: Lyndon Mechielsen

“While we have confirmed the mining of overburden and coal in Manning Vale West Pit is not expected before 1 September 2024, we are able to undertake surface works, including the building of infrastructure, exploration and bore drilling on the site,” New Acland Mine General Manager Dave O’Dwyer said.

“Multiple Queensland Government Ministers, their respective departments and numerous independent experts have critically assessed and evaluated every aspect of the project and found New Acland Mine Stage Three stacks up environmentally, socially and financially.”

OCAA will continue its appeal against the Queensland Government’s decision to grant the expansion its associated water licence, which is set to be heard in the Land Court at a later day.

There are already more than 100 workers at the site.

That number is expected to grow to more than 400 when the mine hits peak production.

OCAA secretary Paul King is also claiming a victory.

“On the basis of this agreement and our current understanding of the risk of New Hope’s proposed activities, we’re now satisfied that the mining company’s other planned works will not interfere with groundwater, vital to farmers,” he said.

“Farmers can’t afford to lose the groundwater that sustains agriculture in this region. We’ve always said the Darling Downs is for farming, not mining.”