New Hope runs into another hurdle at the New Acland coal mine
Environmental groups have reignited the fight with New Hope over its New Acland coal mine.
New Acland has hit another hurdle
The Oakey Coal Action Alliance applied for a review of the State Government’s decision late last year to grant a water licence for the project.
The dispute over the coal mine has been going for more than a decade and has been as far as the High Court.
The environmental group said it believed that a “shocking error of judgement” was made when the water licence was granted.
The group said there was too much uncertainty within modelling presented to the department by New Hope, which was used to justify the granting of the licence.
“Crucial assessments of impacts have been deferred up to 18 months after the grant of the licence rather than understanding the impacts up front,” OCAA said.
“Groundwater drawdown predictions are likely (to be) underestimated and predictions in modelling used by the Government do not match observed water levels.”
“The risks to groundwater from the Acland coal mine are not properly understood and can’t be managed. The Palaszczuk Government should prioritise Queensland’s food and water security over coal.”
New Hope has yet to respond to the application for a review.
