QUEENSLAND’S COAL EXPORT INFRASTRUCTURE GAINING MOMENTUM

The State Government is pushing ahead with plans to boost coal exports by doubling the capacity of the Abbot Point Coal Terminal, north of Bowen.

Premier Peter Beattie said he welcomed the decision by the Coordinator-General to allow the proposed Stage 3 expansion of the Coal Terminal to proceed.

“The $770 million Stage 3 expansion will double annual coal throughput at the port to 50 million tonnes,” Mr Beattie said.

Mr Beattie said the Coordinator-General had completed his assessment into the project’s environmental impacts and was happy for the development to proceed, providing certain conditions were met.

“This is another important milestone for the future expansion of coal exporting facilities in Queensland,” Mr Beattie said.

“The Coordinator-General’s Report provides the conditions attached to the development approvals that will be required for the construction and operation of the expanded terminal,” Mr Beattie said.

“The Stage 2 expansion at the Abbot Point terminal, which is owned by the Ports Corporation of Queensland, is currently under construction and will take annual coal exports from 15 to 21 million tonnes by 2008 with plans to expand it further to 25 million tonnes.

“The approval by the Coordinator-General for the Stage 3 expansion would then double annual coal throughput to 50 million tonnes over several phases.

“Construction of the Stage 3 expansion could follow on immediately from the completion of Stage 2 works and will be phased to match future demand.

“This is another example of the Queensland Government getting on with the job of developing critical infrastructure to deliver coal to world markets,” said Mr Beattie.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh said the coal industry was a major contributor to Queensland’s economic growth and prosperity.

“The 69 kilometre Northern Missing Link, a proposed railway connecting the Goonyella and Newlands rail systems, was given the green light to proceed by the Coordinator-General in October 2006,” Ms Bligh said.

“The Stage 3 Expansion of Abbot Point remains contingent on the construction of the $765 million Northern Missing Link Rail project by Queensland Rail and appropriate contractual commitments by coal producers.

“Coal producers have confirmed they remain committed to both projects,” Ms Bligh said.

“Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive, Michael Roche, recently announced that seven major coal exporters would underwrite 'early works costs' undertaken by the State Government-owned Queensland Rail in developing the Northern Missing Rail Link,” Ms Bligh said.

Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500

Deputy Premier’s office 3224 4379