As mining magnate Clive Palmer brings the development of Galilee and Bowen Basin linkage to Abbot Point into question, the Queensland government called the Gladstone rail corridor a “significant project” before opening the plans to public comment.
“The Port of Gladstone is Queensland’s largest multi-commodity port, the world’s fifth largest coal export terminal and one of the busiest ports in Australia,” Queensland Deputy Premier and infrastructure minister Jeff Seeney said.
“This project is an excellent example of how we are laying foundations that will drive the economic growth of the state over the next 50 years.”
The remarks precede submission by the coordinator-general of the project’s draft terms to the general public. Input on the plans will be taken from October 8 to November 5.
Meanwhile, mining magnate Clive Palmer has openly questioned the ability of Indian-Australian joint venture GVK-Hancock to build the Alpha rail project in the northern part of the state.
In an interview with Australian Associated Press, Palmer cited GVK’s entanglement in India’s governmental coalfield allocation scandal known as “coalgate”, noting failed development deadlines by the company in its home country.
“It’s pretty bad that the Indian government has decided to withdraw GVK’s bond,” he said.
“If they’re not meeting their obligations in India, why does the Queensland government think they will meet their obligations here.”
Palmer’s proposal for a rail corridor in the area connecting the Bowen and Galilee coal basins with Abbot Point lost out to GVK-Hancock last June.
Earlier this week, the Queensland government announced that QR National’s $2 billion rail project linking Galilee and Bowen to the Abbot Point and Hay Point ports had entered its environmental evaluation stage.
“The long-term success of our mining industry relies on the timely delivery of infrastructure to support international exports and jobs,” Seeney said of the plan to establish two rail corridors for the area.
“The previous government’s uncoordinated approach led to multiple rail liens and other linear infrastructure being proposed by several proponents across properties between the Galilee Basin and the coast.
“As I announced in June, the government intends to rationalise the number of new rail corridors begin created and will encourage the sharing of rail corridors wherever possible.”
