Queensland workers will be the biggest winners at an Asia-backed $21.7 billion mining project in the State’s Central Coast region.
Adani Australia has committed to source labour locally from regional Queensland for its Carmichael Coal Project. The India-headquartered company will also refrain from using foreign workers who come to Australia on 457 visas.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk recently met with Adani chairman Gautam Adani, and confirmed the company will establish all its project offices in regional Queensland.
“The coal will be mined in regional Queensland by regional Queenslanders. I have always made it clear: The jobs from the Carmichael Coal project are for Queenslanders. I am pleased Mr Adani has committed to do just that,” Palaszczuk says.
“Importantly, Adani have committed to up to 600 new jobs in the next pre-construction phase of the project’s development and locations for staff. My Government has been determined for this project to create as many jobs for regional Queensland as possible. Adani had originally proposed to locate its project offices in Brisbane. I welcome the Adani commitment to locate them in our regions.”
Under the current proposal, Adani will set up its:
- regional headquarters in Townsville
- remote operations centre in Townsville
- rail and port operations in Bowen
- mining services in Mackay
- rail maintenance and provisioning yard in the Mackay-Bowen region
- project sourcing centres in Townsville, Charters Towers, Rockhampton, Emerald, Clermont and Moranbah
The location of the fly-in fly-out hub is still to be decided, with Townsville and Rockhampton having been shortlisted. A decision is due in 2017, coinciding with the start of early works.
Effects of this project are promised to have a positive ripple-effect through regional economies.
“Whether it’s the mining engineering businesses, the construction materials suppliers, the aircraft maintenance crews or the caterers feeding the work crews [they will benefit],” Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham says.
“The resources sector provides $2 billion annually in royalties to fund our hospitals and schools: The Carmichael ripple effect will be felt statewide.”
Adani’a decision to base its headquarters in Townsville has been praised as a “huge boost” for the city and entire North Queensland region.
“I know Adani’s Carmichael coal mine project is vital for the north because it means thousands of jobs are coming our way,” Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke says.
“It’s also a major vote of confidence in our region, with green shoots starting to appear after what has been a difficult time for the local resource industry.”
Adani has separately proposed to establish a $200 million large-scale Rugby Run Solar Farm near Moranbah, and approvals have been sought.
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