Environment and Sustainability, Freight Rail

Adani gets approval for rail to port

Coal. Photo: Shutterstock

The $21.7 billion Carmichael coal and rail project has secured its final major State and Federal Government approval, with an application for the project’s rail line into Abbot Point approved.

The coordinator general on Monday approved the application, along with another application for a temporary construction workers’ camp.

State development minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the latest, and final, secondary approval this week was for about 31.5 kilometres of permanent rail line, as well as a temporary construction camp with up to 300 beds.

The rail section will form part of the 389 kilometre standard gauge, heavy haul railway line from the mine in the Galilee Basin to the coal export port.

“This is another key milestone for the project, which Adani has confirmed it will start construction on next year,” Dr Lynham said.

Adani will meet Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Dr Lynham in Townsville on Tuesday.

2 Comments

  1. Meanwhile the Australian Conservation Foundation and Getup continue their campaign against the Adani mine. Some question the project’s viability! And this will be the first major standard gauge project outside the Brisbane region. Weekend media suggests that the Commonwealth may lend $2b towards infrastructure. Whatever your politics, it will be interesting to watch this one!

  2. The Fact that This Line is being Blt to “Standard Gauge” is Very Good News. Lets Hope it Leads to Other Projects Being to S. G, as Well. This Will Allow Queensland to Have a Rail System that Can B Fully Integrated
    into the National Standard Gauge Network.