Get moving!

ACT now to get thousands of jobs going this year and to start the flow of billions of dollars in revenue. That’s my message to the State Labor Government regarding Abbot Point. I am asking our state counterparts to pull out all stops when it comes to lodging their new submission with the federal government for the disposal of dredge spoil at the T2 site adjacent to the Abbot Point Coal Terminal.Every day without that submission in the hands of the Federal Environment Minister is another day jobs aren’t created. It’s another day that businesses on the brink face closure, and people desperate for jobs are left hanging.The Queensland Minister for State Development, Natural Resources and Mines Anthony Lynham has been quoted as saying  “The environmental impact process can take up to 6 to 9 months”.The realities of that time frame is that it does put the entire Abbot Point and Carmichael Mine project in jeopardy, as work could not start this year.There are clear indications from the proponents that work needs to start within months.

• Sandeep Mehta, chief executive of Adani Australia Coal Terminal, has stated there was “a real risk the project will not proceed” if dredging does not occur between March 1 and June 30, according to legal documents filed with Brisbane’s Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Sydney Morning Herald, June 30, 2015.

• Downer EDI Limited, who announced on December 19 last year that they won contracts for the provision of mining services and the construction of mine infrastructure at Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine, are contracted for “pre-production and planning in early 2015 with mine infrastructure construction commencing in the fourth quarter of 2015.”

It’s vitally important for this region that the approvals process does not drag out for another year.There is a thorough approvals process that must be undertaken by the Federal Government’s Environment Department, and I have had assurances from the Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt that he will assess the application in the quickest possible timeframe.I have also spoken to the Prime Minister about the matter and he will be ensuring that the appropriate resources of government are there to get this application approved so work can commence this year but only if the State Government does its bit.For the sake of Bowen, the region, and the state’s coffers, I am calling on the State Labor Government to act.