MMS: New 20-year plan charts course for Queensland's coal industry

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New 20-year plan charts course for Queensland's coal industry
Joint Statement:
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh

Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe
24/11/2010

The State Government has unveiled a new plan to chart the course of Queensland's coal mining infrastructure over the next two decades.

Speaking at a Queensland Resources Council function today, Premier Anna Bligh said the release of CoalPlan 2030 marked the start of a framework to guide sustainable coal-related infrastructure planning.

"Queensland is the envy of other states for many reasons, including our unparalleled ability to plan for and get moving on infrastructure," Ms Bligh said.

"Infrastructure growth is an essential component of economic growth. It is the backbone of the state's future.

"That's why it's important to have a long-term plan to ensure that coal infrastructure planning is done in an integrated way and rolled out in a sequence that makes sense and does not see bottlenecks develop in the coal supply chain.

"The types of investment decisions that companies are making in relation to exploration and the opening of new mines means that they need to have some knowledge of and confidence in the infrastructure capacity going forward.

"CoalPlan 2030 identifies infrastructure requirements in Queensland over a 20-year period. This will help drive growth over the medium to long-term."

Ms Bligh said coal is currently Queensland's largest single merchandise export earner, bringing in sales of approximately $41 billion in 2008-09.

"The coal industry provides direct benefits of more than $11 billion a year to the state's economy-$3.3 billion in royalties alone," Ms Bligh said.

"The industry also directly employs over 29,000 workers the majority of who are based in regional Queensland - and the workforce has enormous potential for growth.

"Forecasts reveal the state's current annual output of around 190 million tonnes of high-quality coal could potentially reach 340 million tonnes and beyond per year over the next 20 years.

"The plan sets out how government can assist industry to sustainably increase production, create new jobs and maintain mining royalties and taxes to bolster the state economy.

"Lead times for major infrastructure such as ports and rail-from concept to commissioning-can take up to six years so it is crucial to look over the horizon.

"Government can effectively plan for expansions to our rail and port capacity, train new workers and allocate more housing and services in regional centres.

"We can also plan for major investments in roads, airports, power and water facilities-and balance growth of our number one export commodity with our responsibilities to local communities and the environment."

Since 2005, the value of coal-related infrastructure committed, planned or implemented is in excess of $25 billion across a range of infrastructure types including rail, port and water infrastructure.

Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe said CoalPlan 2030 was a blueprint for expansion which would ensure security of supply to coal customers in the future.

"Coal royalties are a significant revenue generator which enables the government to invest in clean coal technologies, renewable and gas technologies-as well as in essential services such as health, education and infrastructure," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"The steady rise in global demand for our coal has resulted in an unprecedented number of new mine developments, expansion of existing mines, increased exploration activity, and new infrastructure to service the mining industry.

"CoalPlan 2030 ensures a coordinated, sustainable and environmentally responsible approach to infrastructure planning and delivery across government and industry-ensuring that the industry can maximise its growth potential to 2030, and beyond."

Mr Hinchliffe said the plan will continue to be updated so it has flexibility to respond to dynamic economic conditions.

"With a focus on medium to long-term infrastructure requirements the plan allows us to adjust the timing and scope of projects," the Minister said.

"We believe in the future of Queensland and we will continue to plan to ensure a positive social, economic and environmental outlook prevails."

CoalPlan 2030 is available from the Department of Infrastructure and Planning's website at: www.dip.qld.gov.au/coal-plan

Media:
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning- 3224 4600
Premier's Office- 3224 4500