Premier secures Adani commitment on regional Queensland jobs

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has secured commitments from Adani that the workforce for its Carmichael Coal project will be sourced from regional Queensland and it will not use foreign workers on 457 visas.

Speaking from Townsville where she met with Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani today, the Premier said Adani had also committed to establish all its project offices in regional Queensland.

“The coal will be mined in regional Queensland by regional Queenslanders,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I have always made it clear: the jobs from the Carmichael Coal project are for Queenslanders. I am pleased Mr Adani has committed to do just that.”

“Importantly, Adani have committed to up to 600 new jobs in the next pre-construction phase of the project’s development and locations for staff.”

“My Government has been determined for this project to create as many jobs for regional Queensland as possible.”

“Adani had originally proposed to locate its project offices in Brisbane. I welcome the Adani commitment to locate them in our regions.”

The Premier said Adani had confirmed today that the:

• regional headquarters will be based in Townsville;
• remote operations centre will be in Townsville;
• rail and port operations headquarters will be in Bowen;
• mining services based in Mackay;
• rail maintenance and provisioning yard in the Mackay-Bowen region;
• project sourcing centres in Townsville, Charters Towers, Rockhampton, Emerald, Clermont and Moranbah; and
• the shortlist for a Fly in Fly Out hub is Townsville and Rockhampton, with a decision due in 2017 coinciding with the start of early works.

“My Government was worked with Adani to ensure the project went through a rigorous and comprehensive assessment process for the mine, rail and port development,” the Premier said.

“We promised the people of Queensland, at the last election, that we would protect the Great Barrier Reef and Caley Valley Wetlands from disposal of dredged spoil from the Abbot Point port expansion.”

“We also promised the Queensland Government, on behalf of taxpayers, would not fund project infrastructure.”

“We have delivered our commitments and now we look forward to the thousands of new jobs – direct and indirect – to be delivered from the Carmichael Coal project.”

The Premier has also welcomed Adani’s proposal to establish a $200 million large-scale solar project near Moranbah.

The Carmichael Coal mine would provide greater access to electricity security for the people of India.

Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham said today’s announcement would be an economic shot in the arm for businesses across the state.

“The effects of this project will ripple through our regional economies, whether it’s the mining engineering businesses, the construction materials suppliers, the aircraft maintenance crews or the caterers feeding the work crews,” he said.

“The resources sector provides $2 billion annually in royalties to fund our hospitals and schools: the Carmichael ripple effect will be felt state-wide.”

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke welcomed the location of Adani’s HQ in Townsville as a huge boost for the city, and the entire North Queensland region.

“I know Adani’s Carmichael coal mine project is vital for the north because it means thousands of jobs are coming our way,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“It’s also a major vote of confidence in our region, with green shoots starting to appear after what has been a difficult time for the local resource industry,” she said.

“I’ve been meeting regularly with the Premier and Minister Lynham about the importance of this project progressing and I’m pleased today we have the certainty we need for the north.”

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier’s office) 0417 263 791