Surat Basin cattle producer and Basin Sustainability Alliance chairman, Lee McNicholl, has taken a swipe at the Queensland Government for allowing stage 3 of New Acland’s coal mine to be reviewed.
Queensland’s Land Court recommended the outright refusal of a coal mine on 31 May 2017, following the largest public interest case in Australian history.
Last week New Acland Coal had sought a judicial review of a recent Land Court recommendation for the state government to axe the controversial Stage 3 expansion of the mine.
“The state government must respect the future of farming and refuse the Stage 3 expansion of New Acland’s coal mine immediately,” Mr McNicholl said.
“Any politician who accepts this flawed expansion is short-sighted and trashing the sustainability of future farmers across the state.
“No further attempts by New Acland should be allowed to stop the government from considering the recommendation and refusing the project immediately.”
“The court was far-reaching in its findings by damning New Acland’s impacts on inter-generational equity and flawed hydrological modelling at the top of the list.”
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Anthony Lynham, has the final say on the project’s mining lease.
“I've been to this local area. I've spoken to locals, at length, and I know this issue is an issue people feel very strongly about. I don't want any of my statements to be misconstrued by any party,” Dr Lynham said.
He said the government supports the sustainable and valid growth of Queensland’s resources sector.
“The Land Court's recommendation is very lengthy and very complex. Don't forget, there's over 100 days of deliberations regarding this,” Dr Lynham said.
“I've now asked the Director-General of the department of Environment and Heritage Protection to extend his decision on the environmental authority.
Mr McNicholl said it has been a long hard battle for the farmers from Acland.