Adani Coal Mine Gains 'Critical' Status As Queensland Government Moves To Kick-Start Project

ABC News

The mine, rail line and water infrastructure have been deemed critical infrastructure. (Source: adanimining.com)

Key points: Queensland Government wants project to go ahead: Development Minister Adani mine, rail and water infrastructure all deemed "critical" More legal obstacles still possible, Resources Council warns

The State Government has declared Adani's Carmichael coal mine project in western Queensland to be "critical infrastructure" in a bid to fast-track its remaining approvals.
In a move branded reckless by the Australian Greens, State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the Government had invoked special powers to help progress Adani's $21 billion Carmichael coal and rail project in the Galilee Basin.
Dr Lynham said the move would mean less red tape for the project and the Coordinator General can sign off on approvals quickly.
He said the project's special "prescribed project" status had been renewed and expanded to include its water infrastructure.
"This step bundles together major elements of the project for the first time — the mine, the 389-kilometre rail line, and the water infrastructure, including a pipeline, pumping stations and a dam upgrade," he said.
"This Government is serious about having the Adani mine in operation, we want this to happen."
Dr Lynham said water licences were the only outstanding state approvals for the project.
Greens Senator Larissa Waters said the Government's move was reckless and short-sighted when they should be focusing on renewable energy projects for job creation.
"Instead, they're prioritising a coal mine owned by an overseas company, that won't pay any tax in Australia, that will generate a fraction of the jobs that it originally claimed, and it will threaten the Great Barrier Reef and the jobs it provides," she said.
Dr Lynham said when the Palaszczuk Government came to power in early 2015 there was a long way to go with the approvals Adani needed to start construction.
"Since then, 22 key Commonwealth, state and local government approvals have been granted for Adani's mine, rail and port facilities and there have been 29 key milestones reached," he said.

"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."

Queensland Resources Council CEO Michael Roche described the move as a step forward but said new water license laws introduced to Parliament could lead to more legal obstacles.
"Getting that water licence could open up Adani to more court action, more appeals in the land court and other courts," Mr Roche said.
Dr Lynham said the progress on the project had been achieved while protecting the Great Barrier Reef and meeting Queensland and Commonwealth environmental impact assessment requirements.

Links

• Indigenous challenge to Adani Carmichael coal mine dismissed
• Conservation Foundation's case against Adani mine dismissed
• Adani must prove financial viabiltiy for Carmichael mine: Minister
• Adani mega mine fast-tracked
• Carmichael mine to be given 'essential' status in sign of Palaszczuk support
• Adani mine: Will controversial mine's hurdles ever be cleared?