New Acland signs off as Stage 3 saga continues

Mining at New Acland wound up last week after a drawn-out legal battle to access further coal through the Stage 3 development. It was a sad day for Oakey and the wider Darling Downs to see one of the largest employers in the region cease mining operations due to a lack of Queensland Government approvals, Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise chief executive officer Ali Davenport said. "New Hope Group has operated the New Acland Mine since 2002 and used to employ hundreds of staff," she said. "The majority of those staff lived and worked in the region, had families at the local schools and shopped locally. New Acland was a great supporter of local community groups and sporting teams and invested millions into the social fabric of Oakey. "Now, New Acland mine is reduced to less than 20 operational staff and the local economy has suffered.” The High Court in February ordered fresh hearings into the planned expansion of the Darling Downs mine, placing continued operations in limbo. An appeal by the Oakey Coal Action Alliance against the expansion is being heard in Queensland’s Land Court. New Hope Group chief executive officer Reinhold Schmidt said the protracted approvals process and the ongoing uncertainty regarding Stage 3 had seen more than 280 valuable and highly skilled employees made redundant in the past three years. "Despite the challenges, the team at New Acland has continued to prioritise safety. I appreciate the leadership shown on site which has allowed every employee to return home safely to their family and loved ones," he said. "I would also like to thank the wider Darling Downs community for its steadfast support, particularly local community leaders, sporting groups and landholders who have been vocal and proud advocates of Stage 3 and the benefits it will bring to the region." Twenty employees will be responsible for care and maintenance at New Acland until the remaining approvals process is finalised. Mr Schmidt said the departing employees left as highly skilled professionals. "Over the past two years they have undergone additional training, been awarded nationally accredited skills certification, received resume and interview coaching and had their pre-employment medical examinations updated, all in a bid to make each person more employable," he said. Mr Schmidt said New Hope was committed to securing the remaining approvals required for Stage 3, which would enable a restart of operations and employment opportunities for hundreds of local workers, as well economic opportunities for the region more broadly.

New Acland signs off as Stage 3 saga continues

Industry Queensland

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