October 13, 2015
Oakey Coal Action Alliance has launched legal action against the Acland Stage 3 coal mine expansion.
The group has lodged a formal objection to be heard in the Queensland Land Court.
The group consists of farmers and residents from the local area who say they will be affected by the proposed mine expansion.
OCAA president, Frank Ashman, is a beef cattle stud owner at Brymaroo.
“The Acland Stage 3 coal expansion represents a serious threat to our farms, our livelihoods and the health of our local community,” Mr Ashman said.
“We have taken the very difficult step of objecting to the project in the Land Court because of the severe and unacceptable impacts it will have on the environment and our community.
“Our case will be that the expansion should not proceed because of the impacts it will have on many aspects including groundwater resources, important farming land and the health of local families.”
Mr Ashman said the mine would destroy 1300ha of Strategic Cropping Land and cause aquifers to drop by up to 47m.
“The expansion will worsen air quality for people and farmers surrounding the mine,” he said.
“We will also contend in court that the costs of this expansion to Queensland far outweigh any public benefits, particularly as the mine proponent has estimated that it pays 77 per cent of royalties to itself and only 7 per cent to the State Government.”
OCAA will be represented in the Land Court by lawyers from a community legal centre, the Environmental Defenders Office (Qld).
