Media Release
Thursday, 18 September 2025
New Acland rail walk-back slammed: Calls to prioritise Darling Downs community safety
New Acland Coal’s request to shirk its responsibilities would leave the local community to bear the brunt of truck movements, dust pollution, and associated health and environmental harms.
The Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC) and Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) are urging the Queensland Government to reject New Acland Coal’s request to be released from a critical approval condition for its Stage 3 coal mine expansion near Oakey.
As part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process, New Acland was required to construct an 8-kilometre rail line and coal transfer station to transport coal from the mine to market. This condition was imposed to protect the Jondaryan community from ongoing coal dust, heavy vehicle traffic, and noise impacts. The company was obligated to complete the rail connection within two years of extracting the first coal from Stage 3.
DDEC and QCC are calling on the Queensland Government to:
- Reject New Acland’s request to remove its rail and transfer station obligation;
- Enforce the existing approval conditions to protect the Jondaryan community; and
- Recognise that the broader impacts of coal expansion on communities, agriculture, and climate are already too great.
Darling Downs Environment Council Coordinator, Ahri Tallon said:
“This condition was never optional — it was a clear requirement to protect the people of Jondaryan from coal dust and noise. Walking away from it would leave an already impacted community exposed to even greater harm.
“Queensland cannot continue to let coal companies rewrite the rules after the fact. The people of Jondaryan and the Darling Downs deserve better.”
Queensland Conservation Council campaigner Ms Charlie Cox said:
“This mine has inflicted enough damage on communities, farmland and our climate. The government must stand firm and enforce the conditions it set.
“Allowing New Acland to sidestep its obligations would set a dangerous precedent, signalling that coal companies can negotiate away basic protections for local communities after projects have been approved.
“Coal dust doesn’t stop at mine gates. It blows across farms, communities, and waterways. This is about protecting people and demanding accountability from a company that has already pushed the limits of social licence.”
Available for comment
- Ahri Tallon – 0455 619 454
- Charlie Cox – 0434 671 986
ENDS
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