New Acland coalmine caught drilling illegally at 27 sites – and fined just $3,152
by Ben Smee from on (#4M5XR)
Exclusive: Queensland authorities believed penalty - a 20th of the maximum for a single infringement - would serve as a deterrent
One of Australia's most contentious coalmines, New Acland, was caught drilling 27 illegal bores last year and fined $3,152 by the Queensland government, a figure an environment group has labelled "paltry".
Documents obtained under Queensland freedom of information laws show the state Department of Environment and Science believed the Darling Downs miner had committed a "major" breach of environmental laws.
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