The Queensland government has declared the Carmichael coal and rail project, as well as associated water infrastructure, “critical infrastructure” in a bid to expedite approval and development of the project.
The AUS$21.7 billion project in the Galilee Basin is being developed by Indian conglomerate, Adani, and would be Australia’s largest coal mine. It also includes the construction of a rail line to link the mine with a new terminal at Abbot Point Port.
“This step bundles together major elements of the project for the first time – the mine, the 399 km rail line and the water infrastructure, including a pipeline, pumping stations and a dam upgrade,” said Queensland Minister for State Development, Dr Anthony Lynham.
The move comes on the advice of Queensland’s independent Coordinator General, who is tasked with ensuring decisions on large-scale infrastructure projects in the state are delivered in a timely manner.
“Adani has now obtained all the necessary primary approvals for its mine, rail and port project – and most importantly, I have granted the mining leases,” continued Lynham, who also holds the natural resources and mines brief.
“At a state level, the only key approvals remaining are water licenses and Adani is actively working on those with my Department of Natural Resources and Mines.”