New Hope Group has started work on a rehabilitation project at its New Acland coal mine on the Darling Downs that will see more than 3000 trees planted over the next decade.

The 13.5km Lagoon Creek Conservation Zone will see the vegetation corridor along Lagoon Creek widened to more than 100m.

New Acland mine general manager Dave O’Dwyer said the Lagoon Creek Conservation Zone would enhance animal and plant biodiversity.

“The project will stretch from Peachey Maclagan Rd to south of the Manning Vale West Pit and will take more than a decade to complete,” Mr O’Dwyer said.

“In total, more than 135ha of land alongside Lagoon Creek will be prioritised and planted with native vegetation, including eucalyptus, paper bark and other refuge trees, designed to significantly boost the local koala population.

“New Acland mine is home to one of Australia’s most ambitious and practical land management programs.

“Established more than 17 years ago, the progressive rehabilitation program returns mined land to agricultural and conservation uses while contributing to the region’s agribusiness industry.

“To date, more than 740ha of land has been rehabilitated. Of this, 349ha has been formally ratified as progressively rehabilitated mined land by the Queensland Government.”

The company began mining at its New Acland Stage 3 development last year after a 15-year approvals process, which came to an end with the State Government decision in October 2022 to grant the project an associated water licence.

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