The group behind the $1.3 billion expansion, infrastructure group Babcock & Brown (BBI) said the Phase 1 expansion involved the addition of a third train inloading facility and conveyor system.

 

Various upgrades were made to the stockyard including three new yard machines.

 

The expansion aims to meet rising international demand for Queensland coal with

the next stage (Phase 2/3) of the terminal expansion lifting capacity to 85Mtpa.

 

The coal terminal is 38km south of Mackay and is linked by rail to the Bowen Basin coal mines.

 

Before confirming its acceptance into the DBCT-regulated asset base, the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) must review expansion costs.

 

BBI said the QCA’s preliminary approval for the infrastructure company to start charging for the new expansion capacity based on forecast expansion costs, would boost its revenue.

 

BBI project director Eric Kolatchew said: “This major achievement will benefit both BBI and our coal mining customers.

 

“The challenge now is for the rest of the Goonyella Coal Supply Chain to boost exports performance to match DBCT’s new capacity.”