The ABC reports (5.12.16) that ‘the $22 billion Carmichael coal and rail project has secured Queensland Government approval for a permanent rail line and a temporary construction camp.’
The report continues: ‘Queensland’s coordinator-general has given “the latest, and final, secondary approval” for about 31.5 kilometres of permanent track, as well as the 300-bed camp. The rail section approved will form part of the 389 kilometre heavy haul railway line from the mine in the Galilee Basin to the Abbot Point port.
‘The Carmichael mine, which will be Australia’s largest coal mine, still needs a water licence approved and hopes to secure a Federal Government loan. State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the approval was another milestone for the project.
‘… The mine will consist of six open-cut pits and up to five underground mines, and will supply Indian power plants with enough coal to generate electricity for up to 100 million people.
‘The controversial project involves dredging 1.1 million cubic metres of spoil near the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which will then be disposed of on land.’
- Adani coal mine project: Queensland Government approves rail line, camp »
- Adani Carmichael coal mine rail line and camp approved »
- Adani’s $22-billion Carmichael coal mine to be headquartered in Townsville »
Green groups fume over plan for $1b federal loan
Joshua Robertson reports in The Guardian (3.12.16) that a $2.2b rail link to the huge Carmichael coal mine project has gained conditional approval for commonwealth funding.
‘The environmental movement is up in arms over a move towards federal funding of up to $1b for a railway that will serve Adani’s proposed Queensland coal mine.
‘A $2.2b rail link to Adani’s huge Carmichael mine in the untapped Galilee basin has gained conditional approval for a commonwealth loan, days before its billionaire promoter, Gautam Adani, is due to meet state and federal political leaders.
‘The 310km North Galilee Basin Rail Project has met the economic, financial and employmentconditions for a 50% loan over five years under the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund (NAIF), the Courier-Mail reported.
‘The railway, which will open up coalfields that reef scientists argue must remain untapped for the survival of the Great Barrier Reef, will require more detailed assessment before the NAIF panel agrees to fund it.
‘The preliminary approval of the loan, one of 80 unmet funding requests to the NAIF, was news to Queensland government ministers familiar with the project on Saturday, Guardian Australia confirmed.’