Interest sought in Abbot Point expansion

The Queensland Government is seeking registrations of interest to participate in the first stage of potential development of new export coal terminal capacity at the Port of Abbot Point.

Acting Premier Jeff Seeney said the Newman Government was committed to improving the coordination of infrastructure development in Queensland.

“The export coal sector is a critical part of the state’s economy and infrastructure needs to be provided in a timely and commercial basis to facilitate the expansion of this leading industry,” Mr Seeney said.

“The Port of Abbot Point is an important strategic asset of the state and in this regard its expansion needs to be managed carefully.

“In May 2012, the Newman Government decided to discontinue the process put in place by the previous government relating to prospective port and coal terminal development at Abbot Point. 

“Instead, the government began a review to look at clearing the way for the development of infrastructure, with a higher degree of certainty that additional export infrastructure would be delivered.

“This includes the objective that any future development is staged and closely aligned with emerging demand for port capacity.”

Earlier this year the government appointed Dr Barry Golding as the Abbot Point Facilitator and his report concluded that there is emerging demand for additional port capacity at Abbot Point.

The government’s core objectives for the expansion of the coal export facilities at Abbot Point are to:

• maximise the export of coal through the Port of Abbot Point
• provide for the staged, incremental expansion of port and terminal capacity in line with emerging demand over time
• provide the ability for access seekers to obtain terminal and port capacity on appropriate commercial terms
• minimise the impacts of the terminal and port development on the environmental values of the adjoining wetlands and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area
• allow for the future development of the Abbot Point State Development Area (APSDA) and the potential for other commodities to use the Port of Abbot Point

“Ports are essential to the function and growth of Queensland’s four pillar economy based on tourism, agriculture, resources and construction,” he said.

In addition to the registrations of interest for the coal expansion, the Newman Government is also releasing a complementary Request for Information document.

This document will gauge developer interest in locating in the State development Area (SDA) at Abbot Point for industries and/or infrastructure, associated with the import/export of commodities in addition to coal.

The Acting Premier said that this was a key initiative led by the Coordinator-General to support the objective of making better use of Queensland SDAs and generating more economic activity in these key locations. 

The Registration of Interest and the Request for Information documents are available for downloading at www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/apx and www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/land-for-industry/abbot-point.html respectively.

Interested parties have until 4pm on 20 February 2013 to submit their Registration of Interest and or respond to the Request for Information document.

[ENDS] 21 December 2012

Media Contact:  Kate Haddan – 0418 373 516