Govt meets mine election commitment

The Palaszczuk Government has delivered on an election commitment to scrutinise the approval process for the New Acland Mine Stage 3 project near Oakey.

Minister for State Development and Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the administrative review looked at the Co-ordinator-General’s evaluation of the New Acland Mine Stage 3 environmental impact statement.

The project is a proposed expansion of the existing New Acland coal mine, 10km north-west of Oakey on the Darling Downs.

“The review considered the Coordinator-General’s EIS Evaluation Report as a step toward obtaining the many approvals required for the project,” Dr Lynham said.

The review is available by visiting statedevelopment.qld.gov.au and searching for New Acland.

Dr Lynham said the Coordinator-General’s Evaluation Report was one step in the process for approval of New Acland Coal Mine Stage 3.

“There are a number of state and federal approvals required for the project before it can proceed, including the Commonwealth Environment Minister’s approval,” he said.  

The Land Court is currently hearing objections to the mining lease application and the amendment to the environmental authority.

ENDS             13 May, 2016

Media inquiries:        Jan Martin     0439 341 314