{"id":320212,"date":"2022-06-23T17:22:02","date_gmt":"2022-06-23T07:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=320212"},"modified":"2022-06-23T17:41:42","modified_gmt":"2022-06-23T07:41:42","slug":"miner-to-restore-koala-habitat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2022\/06\/23\/miner-to-restore-koala-habitat\/","title":{"rendered":"Miner To Restore Koala Habitat"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Cattle grazing on rehabilitated land at the New Acland coal mine (Photo: New Hope)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

June 23, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

New Acland Coal has agreed to spend $2 million to further rehabilitate about 100 hectares of land at its controversial mine near Acland.<\/p>\n

The rehabilitated land will be improved from grazing to vegetated habitat suitable for koalas and other fauna.<\/p>\n

The company has entered into an Enforceable Undertaking (EU) with the Department of Environment and Science.<\/p>\n

The undertaking follows investigations into an alleged unauthorised disturbance in an area at the company\u2019s mine known as West Pit.<\/p>\n

The EU can be considered as an alternative to other forms of enforcement action.<\/p>\n

New Acland Coal applied for the EU and the department accepted the application.<\/p>\n

The agreement includes the establishment of a wildlife corridor connecting existing known koala populations and habitat along the Lagoon Creek conservation zone to its post-mine landform at West Pit.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The pit will be rehabilitated and planted with vegetation suitable to support koala habitat as opposed to grazing.<\/p>\n

As part of the agreement, New Acland Coal has also committed to the long-term protection of the area known as Bottle Tree Hill by way of a preservation covenant with the State of Queensland.<\/p>\n

The preservation covenant is designed to ensure the security and conservation of this high value ecological area in perpetuity.<\/p>\n

The company has also committed to reviewing staff skills, training and its permit to disturb system.<\/p>\n

The EU finalises the department\u2019s inquiries into this matter.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson said it was an appropriate enforcement outcome with direct environmental benefits.<\/p>\n

The EU will result in a net gain of approximately 140ha for conservation and koala habitat after mining at New Acland.<\/p>\n

The department will monitor New Acland Coal\u2019s compliance with the undertaking.<\/p>\n

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