The proposed New Acland Coal Mine expansion is considered a key project that could create hundreds of new jobs in Queensland.
The proposed expansion of New Acland Coal back in 2007 did not get the needed government support due to its effect on high quality agricultural land and the proximity to local townships.
Since then, New Acland Coal has managed to provide further information regarding the Environmental Impact Statement of the project.
According to the media statement issued by Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney, the proponent has gone to great lenghts to reduce the project’s footprint by 60% and intends to abandon 1,401 hectares of the mining lease area, including the town of Acland.
Other significant changes include:
- Preserving of the course of Lagoon Creek
- Moving the Jondaryan rail load-out facility eight kilometres from the town
- Moving mining 10 kilometres from Oakey
- Removal of the proposed relocation of a heritage listed item (the New Acland colliery)
- Reducing the impact on Strategic Cropping Land by around 2300 hectares
- Reducing throughput from up to 10 million tonnes a year to a maximum of 7.5million tonnes a year, reducing of the proposed mine life from 2042 to 2029.
The Newman Government invites the public to have its say regarding the project, since this is a key step in the assesment of the mine expansion proposal.
“The Queensland Government is committed to growing the state’s four pillar economy and ensuring successful co-existence between the agricultural and resource sectors,” said Minister Seeney.
“We also want to deliver more jobs for Queenslanders and this $900 million project could deliver 260 construction jobs and up to 435 operational jobs.”
The EIS and additional information can be viewed online at www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/newacland
Submissions can be emailed to newaclandproject@coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au Submissions close at 5pm on 29 September 2014.
