New Hope Group says it is one step closer to approval of its Stage 3 coal mine expansion in Queensland, but challenges remain. 

The Queensland Land Court conditionally approved the expansion of the New Acland coal mine on the Darling Downs last year, triggering a review by the state’s Coordinator General.

New Hope Group first applied for the expansion approval in 2007, but has been beset by legislative demands and protracted legal challenges ever since.

The latest report outlined conditions to be incorporated into the New Acland Stage 3 Environmental Authority.

New Hope Group chief executive Rob Bishop says the Queensland Government will now decide whether to approve the lease. 

“New Acland Stage 3 has been extensively reviewed, assessed and scrutinised,” Mr Bishop said.

“The Land Court process and the Coordinator General's consultation process has allowed everyone to have their say about the project.

“This historic development is a green light for finalisation of the approvals process and means we can now focus more on plans to re-open the mine and recruit our workforce.”

The mine ran out of coal last year, leading it to let go most of its remaining workers and go into caretaker mode. 

However, the Oakey Coal Action Alliance (OCAA) says implications for groundwater for nearby farmers have not been considered enough.

The OCAA lodged its first legal challenge against the project in the Land Court in 2016, which led to the longest hearing in the court's history.

The community group says it intends to keep up the fight.

“The approval that New Hope still needs is the approval of the minister, and they need a water licence,” OCAA’s Paul King has told reporters. 

“So both of those still remain obstacles.”

The group says it will pursue legal action over groundwater.

Without a water licence, New Acland cannot mine coal. The emerging stoush will be the latest in over a decade worth of legal complaints against the planned expansion. 

The Queensland Government says it will only consider granting approvals for the mine once all legal processes are finished.

The state’s Department of Environment and Science is working with New Hope Group on the environment assessment.