O’Donnell to examine Queensland coal bottlenecks

<p>Former Pacific National chief Stephen O’Donnell will head a review of Queensland’s Goonyella Coal Chain in a bid to examine the causes of inflated ship queues at port of Hay Point and claims that the port is suffering from inbound delivery problems.</p> <p>Queensland premier Peter Beattie said today (Tuesday, June 5) that the review would focus on the coal network through Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay in consultation with the Queensland Resources Council in a bid to improve system reliability.</p> <p>&#8220They will ensure a focus on the entirety of the coal supply chain from the time it’s dug up to the time it leaves on ship," Mr Beattie said.</p> <p>"His task will be to clarify the key detriments of system performance, provide realistic throughput targets and have them agreed by all parties and map out future system improvements."</p> <p>"Customers can be assured that Mr O’Donnell’s appointment reflects the weight the Government gives this matter."</p> <p>Mr O’Donnell headed Pacific National for four years until resigning suddenly in October 2005 citing &#8220intimidatory behaviour&#8221 from parent company Toll.</p> <p>He was general manager of Mt Isa Mining until 2000 and has previously worked for Pasminco.</p> <p>Mr Beattie said Mr O’Donnell’s background qualified him to head the review of the network, blamed in part by several parties on QR delivery problems.</p> <p>&#8220With major increments of port and rail capacity being brought on-stream in the next three years, it is essential that all users have a realistic expectation of what system capacity will be achievable, when this capacity will be available and how the system might best operate to realise this capacity,&#8221 Mr Beattie said. </p> <p>&#8220He has been asked to make a series of recommendations focused on improving transparency, system throughput and confidence in forecast capacity in the short, medium and long-term.&#8221 </p> <br />