The group behind the New Acland coal mine project has hit an obstacle after being given the greenlight to go ahead last year.

In August 2022 the state government approved the mining lease for the controversial stage three expansion of the coal mine near Oakey, and in October a water licence was approved.

But campaigners against the coal mine expansion, the Oakey Coal Action Alliance group, say the Queensland Water Department “made a shocking error of judgement by granting the licence”.

New Acland Mine general manager Dave O’Dwyer said it’s a nerve-wracking process after years-long delays.

“For us it’s just frustration,” he told Neil Breen.

“We received all our approvals, we are ready to go, we are employing people, we’ve been going through a great process since December looking at new candidates, bringing people on we’ve got eple who have started and we’ve got people who will start in the next couple of weeks, we’ll have 100 people early next month on site.

“And now we’ve got this kind of spectre hanging over us, we could end up going all the way back to the start.”

Press PLAY below to hear him explain the latest hurdle