This long-running dispute between New Acland Coal Pty Ltd (NAC’s) and Oakey Coal Action Alliance (OACC) concerned NAC’s application for a ‘stage 3 expansion’ of its coal mining operations near Oakey, QLD. The Land Court’s initial decision was ultimately appealed to the High Court with the result that the matter was referred back to the Land Court for reconsideration.
In this Land Court proceeding, Member Stilgoe found that potential impacts from the granting of the mining leases would be adequately managed by the terms of a draft Environmental Authority and that balancing all relevant factors, it was appropriate to recommend that the mining leases and Environmental Authority sought by NAC be granted.
Damian Clothier QC and Stewart Webster appeared for NAC.
The judgment is published here.
