Union backs mine review
CFMEU declares its support of Acland Mine expansion
NEW Hope Group today will apply to the Supreme Court for a stay on the Land Court and State Government’s final approval of the controversial Acland Mine Stage 3 expansion.
The application, to be heard in Brisbane, will precede the mining company’s judicial review direction hearing next month after the Land Court recommended the expansion not proceed.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union yesterday committed its support to New Hope Group and its legal fight, citing concerns over the emotional impact on its members and the region’s economy.
CFMEU Darling Downs official and Acland site representative Michael Hartin said he welcomed New Hope’s commitment to the judicial review, and was confident that should the final decision rest on the State Government, the expansion would be approved.
“From a union’s point of view, we found the decision a little bit perplexing from the Land Court,” he said.
“We certainly believe the expansion of the project would be a great benefit to our region with the continuation of the nearly 800 employees and full-time contractors within our region.
“We simply think it is unreasonable that with the unemployment percentage rate being 5.5% for the Toowoomba region, it’s unacceptable to see another 800 workers looking for jobs.”
Anti-mine activists hailed the Land Court’s recommendation a win for the environment and agricultural sustainability in the region, which was backed by vocal activists group Stop Brisbane Coal Trains.
SBCT spokesman John Gordon yesterday attacked New Hope Group’s recently launched Country Jobs, City Jobs campaign as promoting “misleading claims”.
But Mr Hartin said Acland Mine had set the standard on “how mining should be completed in the future”.
“With the uncertain future, a lot of employees are not spending money, they are trying to save and that is certainly having a huge impact on the towns,” he said.
“It’s certainly had a huge psychological effect, not just on the workers themselves but their families and children,” Mr Hartin said.
“There is certainly a lot of fear around that they will leave the area which, from our point of view, is disappointing.”