Acland approvals clear first hurdle, but two more to go
The controversial expansion plans of the Acland Coal mine have been boosted after the State Government met the conditions of a Land Court recommendation, but the company still has to wade through more bureaucracy.
New Hope sees a strong future in a depleted industry (file photo)
New Hope said the Co-Ordinator General issued a change report to the stated conditions for the Environmental Authority for the stage three expansion at Acland.
It followed a long-running case that went as far as the High Court after local landholders and environmentalists appealed against the project over a range of concerns, including water, noise and dust.
It has taken more than a decade to get to the current point in the application for licences.
New Hope said the change report from the Co-ordinator General satisfied a condition in the Land Court’s recommendations.
This now allowed the Department of Environment and Science to incorporate the amended conditions into the environmental authority and decide on the application from New Hope.
“Following that, the remaining primary approvals are the granting of the mining leases bu the Minister for Resources and the associated water licence by the Department of Development Manufacturing and Water,” New Hope said.
“The company is working collaboratively and productively with representatives from the various government departments to finalise the grant of the remaining approvals.”
