A group of Queensland farmers has ended its 11-year legal battle against the expansion of the New Acland coalmine, withdrawing a final court appeal against the mine’s approvals.
Members of Oakey Coal Action Alliance (OCAA) said on Tuesday they were saddened by its decision to abandon their final legal avenue to block the New Hope Group’s thermal coalmine expansion on the Darling Downs.
The withdrawal brings to an end a decade-long battle that farmers briefly thought they had won, after a 2017 decision by the Queensland land court recommended the mine expansion be rejected.
That decision was partly overturned on appeal, and the mine was granted environmental approval in 2019.
In 2021 the OCAA won another significant victory, this time in the high court, which ruled the case should be reassessed by the land court in an unanimous decision.
In recent years, opposition to the New Acland expansion has focused on appealing against the Queensland government’s 2022 decision to grant the project a water licence.
In a statement, the alliance said it had “fought to preserve rich agricultural land” and underground water resources around Acland for farming.
“We are down but not out,” said Paul King, the secretary of the alliance.
“We will continue to oppose further expansion of inappropriate mining in closely settled agricultural districts.
“In the absence of laws that adequately protect water resources, it is often left to communities to try to defend our precious resources by taking the very serious step of bringing court challenges.
“However, this work is complex, expensive and risky, and communities can face opponents with massive legal resources.
“OCAA is withdrawing, but will regroup. We live to fight another day.”
Aileen Harrison, 89, said she regretted that the group had to withdraw.
“I fear for future generations because the mine will take so much water, and nothing can live without water,” she said.
David Vonhoff, the alliance president and a local dairy farmer, said his operation relied on groundwater.
“I am worried that my grandson will not be able to carry on dairying,” he said.
“Climate destruction is real. Water is precious. We will battle on, but this part is over.”
The Company’s Chair, Mr Robert Millner, said the conclusion of OCAA’s final legal challenge would give certainty for the local community and the Company and concludes many years of opposition and legal challenges.
“The end of OCAA’s challenge gives us confidence to progress our ramp up plan and develop the Manning Vale West mining area.” Millner said.
“Our workforce at New Acland has grown to almost 300 employees since resuming operations.”
The company began extracting coal under the new approval in September 2023.
