The Acland open cast coal mine, stages 1 and 2 are in operation in Queensland producing 4.0Mtpa.
Since stage 2 became operative in 2006, local inhabitants have complained of severe dust pollution and have suffered a range of health problems.
An EIS for stage 3 was completed in 2009. Analysis of this data prepared for stage 3 is inadequate and incomplete, but what available date there is shows air pollution above accepted standards. This is likely to have been the situation since 2006.
In our view, stage 3 cannot be supported on public health grounds and the existing pollution requires drastic remediation.
DEA has written to Minister Burke to indicate our view that the Commonwealth must intervene to take responsibility for these failures. We have provided a detailed critique of the air pollution demonstrated in the EIS. We have also written to the Queensland Ministers Wilson, Hinchliff and Darling.
We attach:
• Letter from local residents (Oakey Coal Action Alliance) asking for help
• Observations concerning the Air Quality section of Environmental Impact Statement for Acland Stage 3 (Chapter 9) by medical experts from Doctors for the Environment Australia
• Letter to Minister Hinchliff, Minister for Mines, Queensland
• The EIS for the project is at http://www.aclandproject.com.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=75