Published Friday, 08 June, 2007 at 01:36 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Paul Lucas
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
NORTHERN MISSING LINK A STEP CLOSER: BEATTIE
The Northern Missing Link moved a major step closer today with the Beattie Government reaching agreement with property owners to acquire the land needed for the proposed coal supply chain.
Premier Peter Beattie said the agreement to acquire the proposed 69km of rail corridor needed for the link showed how serious the Government was about working with the industry to boost coal exports.
“The proposed Northern Missing Link will connect the existing Goonyella and Newlands coal rail systems in the Bowen Basin, and could open up the potential for a massive increase in Queensland coal exports,” Mr Beattie said.
“This is a critical turning point in the development of this rail link, with the acquisition agreement providing the certainty of tenure this rail project needs to proceed.
“The ball is now firmly in the court of industry to determine the next step.
“Completing the rail link, in conjunction with a potential expansion of the Abbot Point Coal Terminal to 50 million tonnes per annum capacity, would allow an additional 35 million tonnes per annum to be exported.
“This means Queensland could export at least 70 percent more coal through the Abbot Point terminal in the Bowen Basin, worth up to $4 billion a year.”
Deputy Premier Anna Bligh said the agreement between Queensland Rail and six landholders would facilitate access to 69km of rail corridor and has the potential to significantly increase Queensland’s capacity to export coal.
“This is a testament to the State Government’s drive to lay down the foundations for Queensland’s growing coal export industry,” Ms Bligh said.
“Mining companies now need to show they’re willing to finance the rail infrastructure that will get their coal to the ports.”
Ms Bligh said following industry commitment to the corridor, Queensland Rail would commence discussions with mine owners on a staged construction program subject to commercial agreements.
“Now we are at the milestone stage of securing the corridor itself, we are calling on the industry to work with us to plan for the years ahead.”
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said the agreement gave landowners access to level crossings, water pipelines and fencing if the decision to proceed with the rail corridor is accepted by all participants.
“After formal approvals, we hope to have the rail corridor in government hands by early 2008,” Mr Lucas said.
"Ultimately, the go-ahead for construction will depend on companies contracting with Queensland Rail to use the infrastructure.
"The link will involve constructing more than 70km of track in a new corridor, and future electrification of the new and old sections, to create a continuous network of mines, rail and ports.
“The State Government and Queensland Rail are not the only players in the coal chain, and the support of industry is key for this project to go ahead.
“Normally, projects such as Northern Missing Link would not occur unless the mining companies agreed to fund the study.
“But the Government stepped in to fund the study because we weren’t prepared to allow any lack of agreement to delay this important project,” he said.
ENDS
Friday, 8 June 2007
Media contact:
3224 4500 (Premier’s office)
3224 4379 (Deputy Premier’s office)
3237 1145 (Transport Minister’s office)
Premier Peter Beattie said the agreement to acquire the proposed 69km of rail corridor needed for the link showed how serious the Government was about working with the industry to boost coal exports.
“The proposed Northern Missing Link will connect the existing Goonyella and Newlands coal rail systems in the Bowen Basin, and could open up the potential for a massive increase in Queensland coal exports,” Mr Beattie said.
“This is a critical turning point in the development of this rail link, with the acquisition agreement providing the certainty of tenure this rail project needs to proceed.
“The ball is now firmly in the court of industry to determine the next step.
“Completing the rail link, in conjunction with a potential expansion of the Abbot Point Coal Terminal to 50 million tonnes per annum capacity, would allow an additional 35 million tonnes per annum to be exported.
“This means Queensland could export at least 70 percent more coal through the Abbot Point terminal in the Bowen Basin, worth up to $4 billion a year.”
Deputy Premier Anna Bligh said the agreement between Queensland Rail and six landholders would facilitate access to 69km of rail corridor and has the potential to significantly increase Queensland’s capacity to export coal.
“This is a testament to the State Government’s drive to lay down the foundations for Queensland’s growing coal export industry,” Ms Bligh said.
“Mining companies now need to show they’re willing to finance the rail infrastructure that will get their coal to the ports.”
Ms Bligh said following industry commitment to the corridor, Queensland Rail would commence discussions with mine owners on a staged construction program subject to commercial agreements.
“Now we are at the milestone stage of securing the corridor itself, we are calling on the industry to work with us to plan for the years ahead.”
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said the agreement gave landowners access to level crossings, water pipelines and fencing if the decision to proceed with the rail corridor is accepted by all participants.
“After formal approvals, we hope to have the rail corridor in government hands by early 2008,” Mr Lucas said.
"Ultimately, the go-ahead for construction will depend on companies contracting with Queensland Rail to use the infrastructure.
"The link will involve constructing more than 70km of track in a new corridor, and future electrification of the new and old sections, to create a continuous network of mines, rail and ports.
“The State Government and Queensland Rail are not the only players in the coal chain, and the support of industry is key for this project to go ahead.
“Normally, projects such as Northern Missing Link would not occur unless the mining companies agreed to fund the study.
“But the Government stepped in to fund the study because we weren’t prepared to allow any lack of agreement to delay this important project,” he said.
ENDS
Friday, 8 June 2007
Media contact:
3224 4500 (Premier’s office)
3224 4379 (Deputy Premier’s office)
3237 1145 (Transport Minister’s office)