Residents on the Darling Downs are demanding the Palaszczuk Labor Government give the tick of approval to New Acland Stage 3 and save 150 local jobs.
More than 1500 people have supported a petition convened by the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Oakey Chamber of Commerce and the Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise.
Liberal National Party Shadow Minster for Natural Resources Dale Last said it was time for this anti-resources, anti-regions and anti-jobs Labor Government to get out of the way and approve the project.
“There’s no need for job losses - 150 can be saved as long as this Labor Government signs off on Stage 3 in time,” Mr Last said.
“Queenslanders expect our resource projects to meet high environmental and social standards, but they also expect job-creating projects like New Acland stage 3 to get a fair-go.
“To make matters worse, the Palaszczuk Government funds the very group, the Environmental Defenders Office, that continues to derail this project through the legal system.”
The petition was presented to Condamine LNP MP Pat Weir, who said the Labor Government’s refusal to give certainty around the approval process was tearing the community apart.
“I wrote directly to Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk seeking assurances there would be a resolution before September 1, but there was no commitment or guarantee to save the 150 jobs on the chopping block,” Mr Weir said.
“I’ll again be writing to the Premier and Minister Anthony Lynham to alert them of the community’s petition and the frustration these bureaucratic delays are causing for the whole region.
“The time for talk and deliberations is over. Our community deserves certainty.
“The LNP will always stand up for jobs and regional communities.
“Jobs in regional Queensland is no priority for this out of touch Labor Government.”
