Abbot Point Terminal For Sale

Whitsundays Online

Premier Anna Bligh told Parliament today that "the future of Queensland’s economy is dependent on the sale of key assets, such as the Abbots Point coal terminal . . . "
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According to the Premier, a private sale of the port could increase it to even greater capacities. “Abbot Point’s long term plan... to export between 80 and 100 million tonnes a year can only be achieved with significant new investment of funds,” she said. “Those funds in my view are best sourced from the private sector. The private sector is in a good position to invest in the infrastructure needed to export coal.”

“While the coal companies are enduring a drop in demand from world markets, their medium to long term forecasts for volume have not changed. Developing an important part of the coal supply chain such as Abbots Point will benefit both the State and the country." Premier Bligh said.

“It will grow local jobs. More importantly, it will grow prosperity for the whole region and indeed the whole country.”

But according to QRC chief executive Michael Roche, a consultation process with the resources industry is vital to its success. “The government must avoid the failed experiment of excluding industry from participating in the sale of Government-owned export infrastructure, as occurred with the sale of the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal,” he said.

More on this story at Australian Mining
Thanks to Google Earth for the satellite image.
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