THE QUEENSLAND Government has secured the future of the Northern Missing Link project after reaching agreement with two coal companies to get the $1.1 billion project off the ground.
Premier Anna Bligh says the QR Network had agreed commercial principles with foundation coal company customers Lake Vermont and Bowen Central Coal for the Goonyella to Abbot Point (GAP) project.
The Premier says this project is the Suez Canal of the central Queensland coal industry - it will revolutionise coal transport in the state.
The Premier says the state is getting ahead of the demand for this infrastructure and the fact that two commercial companies have signed up means that what has been negotiated by QR is a reasonable and sustainable deal. She encourages other coal companies to get on board quickly.
This project will support the $845 million expansion at the Abbot Point Coal terminal, which is underway and committed to by coal companies.The project includes the 69-kilometre Northern Missing Link, which connects the Goonyella coal rail system to the Newlands rail system, as well as upgrades to the Newlands system.
Pending the outcome of the final planning, the first work on site was expected on site near Moranbah to commence work by April 2010. The completion date is targeted for January 2012.
Add a comment