RAIL - Back On Track Forum

New Acland Coal Mine Stage 3 Project

> http://statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/assessments-and-approvals/new-acland-coal-mine-stage-3-expansion.html

ABC News --> Acland coal mine: Queensland Land Court recommends scrapping expansion

QuoteLandholders and farmers in the Darling Downs are claiming a big win following a Land Court decision recommending the $900 million Stage 3 expansion of the New Acland Coal Mine be scrapped.

More than 60 property owners have been fighting the New Hope Group's proposed project since the State Government indicated support for it in 2012.

The expansion, which would see the mine produce coal for a further decade, was granted Federal Government approval earlier this year.

Opponents took the matter to the Land Court last year arguing the mine expansion would damage groundwater levels, air quality and prime agricultural land.

The case became the longest in Land Court history, with more than 100 days of hearings and 2,000 exhibits.

In a judgment today, the court recommended the Mining Leases and Environmental Authority amendment for Stage 3 not be granted for the proposed expansion.

Paul King from the Oakey Coal Action Alliance said it was a win for the region.

    "The Land Court has recognised that the impact on our water supplies, our farm businesses and the health of our families are too severe," he said.

In his judgment, Land Court Member Paul Smith said he was satisfied air quality, noise and dust levels could be sufficiently managed and the economic benefits of the mine were likely to be significant, but he said the risks to groundwater were too great.

Landholder Noel Weick said his property had already been affected.

"We know that groundwater was under threat and the mine was going to draw our bores down considerably, that's not going to happen now thank goodness."
Government could still permit project

In a statement to the ASX, the New Hope Group said it remained committed to delivering the project and would actively progress it through the final stages of approval.

Michael Hartin from the CFMEU said the decision could cost hundreds of jobs.

"It's very disappointing, I'm certainly of the belief that the New Acland expansion is both commercially, financially and an environmentally sound project," he said

    "There are 300 jobs now that face uncertainty, with over 1,000 proposed jobs that were going to go into construction."

The State Government is the final decision maker for the project and will need to decide whether to follow the court's recommendations or approve it regardless.

A spokeswoman said the Government was examining the court's judgment.

This latest decision will have impacts on the future of the western rail line.

Without long term coal traffic it is unlikely that the railway west of Toowoomba, possibly west of Rosewood will survive.

Go for a ride on the Westy (Westlander) while you can I reckon!

What about the cattle trains, Ozbob?  Enough revenue from them to keep line open?

Quote from: Stillwater on June 03, 2017, 11:36:11 AM
What about the cattle trains, Ozbob?  Enough revenue from them to keep line open?

Marginal.  Of course there might be other freight opportunities if we had the ' enlightenment ' but I fear with the new road range crossing it will b-trouble mania ...

http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-155024771/view

Westlander on the range, 1970.  Once a great train.

Quote from: ozbob on June 03, 2017, 11:40:27 AM

Quote from: Stillwater on June 03, 2017, 11:36:11 AM
What about the cattle trains, Ozbob?  Enough revenue from them to keep line open?

Marginal.  Of course there might be other freight opportunities if we had the ' enlightenment ' but I fear with the new road range crossing it will b-trouble mania ...

Cattletrucks?

Sunday Mail --> Land Court ruling on Acland coal mine puts jobs at risk

QuoteHUNDREDS of jobs at small and large businesses in Queensland could be wiped if the State Government accepts the recommendation of the Land Court to scrap the $900 million Acland coal mine expansion.

The economic impact of the potential closure would roll around Queensland threatening jobs at Aurizon, AJ Bush, local pubs and car yards.

Even the Port of Brisbane would be hit with a loss understood to be about $11 million.

Quinalow Hotel owner Greg Daly uses the Palaszczuk Government mantra of "we want jobs, jobs jobs'' to point out the impact on his town and its 70 residents.

He estimates five families would be forced to leave the town and his plan to employ 10 casuals at his pub to cope with demand from road crews who would be needed for the mine expansion would be put on hold.

Aurizon, which hauls the New Hope coal from Acland to the Port of Brisbane said there were about 135 jobs that would be affected.

"Like many suppliers and customers of New Hope, we're concerned about the economic and employment implications if current mine life comes to an end and expansion does not occur,'' a spokesman said.

"Aurizon has approximately 75 jobs in train crew based in Brisbane and Toowoomba, plus around 60 maintenance jobs based in Toowoomba, that are required for the New Hope business. These jobs would be impacted if the expansion does not occur."

About 100 jobs at AJ Bush's Beaudesert plant are also threatened as are about 19 jobs at meat rendering company Sunshine Protein.

The Port of Brisbane said the impacts could be significant, but won't talk specifics.

"It's our hope that NHC and the State Government can continue working together to satisfy the environmental requirements associated with Acland Stage 3,'' a spokesman said.

"If the project doesn't proceed, it will have a significant impact on jobs and the economy up and down the supply chain, including at the Port."

ALS, which does environmental testing, said it had four workers at the mine site and 22 at its Richlands facility who would all be threatened by the end of mining.

New Hope is not accepting the defeat in the Land Court and has applied for a judicial review of the decision by the Supreme Court which could take several months.

The mine's existing 780 workers fear they will be dumped on the scrapheap by the court's ruling.

Another 1000 jobs would have been created in the expansion project.