Government rethinks Abbot Point development
After scaling back ambitious plans for a nine terminal coal port and 12 berth multi user facility at Abbot Point, the Queensland Government has appointed an industry stalwart to gauge miners’ demand for export infrastructure.
Abbot Point.
The Government said it wants to see future development tied to industry demand.
The Government appointed Barry Golding to the position of “facilitator”. He is to assess miners’ immediate and longer term plans and the resultant port capacity requirements, working in conjunction with government officers and the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation. A report is earmarked for later in the year.
Golding has over 45 years of industry experience, working in project management and infrastructure development and was project manager for the Gladstone Coal Exporters Executive for over 10 years.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jeff Seeney, pointed the finger at two factors making the original proposal unworkable.
He said there were major delays in Commonwealth approvals and that it would take many years before the 9 berth capacity would have been warranted.
“The focus now will shift to the incremental expansion of port capacity to meet any future demand and Government will be indicating its preference for multi-user terminals as a way to meet short to medium term development.
“We believe there are some new opportunities to site stockpiles and other port related infrastructure beside T0-T3 and Mr Golding will be actively discussing this with industry.”
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