TSBE slams government over Acland deadline

Matthew.Newton@thechronicle.com.au MORE THAN $110 million will be ripped from the local economy as a consequence of New Acland Coal Mine reducing its workforce by half over the coming weeks, according to Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise CEO Ali Davenport.

Ms Davenport said TSBE was incredibly disappointed the Queensland Government had said nothing about the future of New Acland Mine, despite the company’s deadline for its outstanding approvals passing on September 1.

“The Queensland Government says they care about regional jobs - well, what about our regional jobs?” Ms Davenport queried.

“They say they care about jobs in coal. Well, what about our coal mine?

“If there was one coal mine in Queensland that should be given this licence, it is New Acland Coal. They have been responsible corporate citizens in our region for 30 years.

“They employ local people. There are 150 families that now have (an uncertain future) because we haven’t heard anything.”

Mine owner New Hope Group told the State Government in June it was running out of coal and if it did not have approvals in place for its Stage 3 expansion by September 1 it would have to halve production and let go of 150 workers.

The mine is seeking approvals for Stage 3’s mining lease, associated water licence, and continued use of the Jondaryan rail facility on a transitional basis. After the mine’s deadline had passed, State Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham said the government was awaiting a Court of Appeal ruling regarding the expansion.

Ms Davenport said the State Government could grant the approvals regardless.

Yesterday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she expected a decision from the Court of Appeal “could come down any day”.