20 January 2017

The Queensland Resources Council welcomes the federal government’s approval for New Acland Stage 3 Continuation Project.

On Friday, the Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg announced the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) approval.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the news was welcome relief after years of delays.

“The federal government has stepped up today to help create up to 260 construction jobs and ongoing direct employment of up to 435 jobs and indirectly 2300, worth about $12 billion in economic benefits over the life of the project,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“This project has been scrutinised by both state and federal governments, and has held up under the scrutiny of experts to meet some of the highest environmental standards in the world.

“We now call on the state government to do its part to help New Hope gain the remaining critical approvals before the current resource runs out.”

About 300 local employees and 500 local contractors depend on the current mine for their livelihoods.

Overall the resources sector in 2015-6 contributed $2.2 billion and 11,875 jobs to the Darling Downs and Queensland coal delivered $32.7 billion and 183,000 jobs to the state’s economy.

Media contacts: Angela Harper 0414 712 605 or Anthony Donaghy 0412 450 360

