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A Queensland coal mine is fearing massive job losses are on the horizon as a 16 year approval process hits another stumbling block.
New Hope, owner of the New Acland Coal Mine, has been hiring workers — many on six figure salaries — at the site near Toowoomba since late last year and anticipates 100 workers will be at work by next month.
But management fear the resurgence of mine activity which began after the State Government approved the mine’s crucial water licence last October will soon grind to a halt after protesters, the Oakey Coal Action Alliance and Lock The Gate, requested the government conduct an internal review of the granting of the water licence.
“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 Associated Water Licence to New Acland,” Coal Alliance secretary Paul King said.
New Hope management now fear the matter could return to the Land Court where the issue could stagnate as Green “lawfare’’ resumes.
“The Queensland Government has scrutinised, critically assessed and approved New Acland (State 3),’’ a New Hope Group spokesman said.
“Green lawfare activists including Oakey Coal Action Alliance and Lock the Gate supported by the taxpayer funded Environmental Defenders Office requested the internal review and will continue to oppose New Acland Stage 3 indefinitely and attempt to take the project back to the Land Court for the fourth time.’’
Head of the Queensland Resources Council Ian Macfarlane says the approvals process has to have some end point.
“After taking more than a decade to finally approve the New Acland Stage 3 mine expansion, the Queensland Government should be doing whatever it can to ensure the project now proceeds as quickly and smoothly as possible.’’ he said.
The QRS has already backed “Prescribed Project’’ status, which would smooth the project’s path through the bureaucracy, but believes it is too far down the road for that classification to now be applicable.
“People have been responding enthusiastically to the permanent jobs being advertised, which is great news for the Oakey community and Darling Downs region,’’ Mr Macfarlane said.
“Any ongoing uncertainty around this project needs to be put to bed by the government, so local people can feel confident about their future after so many years of uncertainty.’’
The State Government says the internal review of the water licence matter should be completed by late March.
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