The development of a new coal mine and related infrastructure near Alpha in the Galilee Basin, and a rail line between the mine and the Abbot Point State Development Area (APSDA) was approved by the Queensland Coordinator-General Barry Broe on August 9.
The approval of the $6.4 billion mine and rail components of the Galilee Coal Project is subject to strict development and operating conditions, and will also require Commonwealth assessment and approval to go ahead.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said that if the project was to proceed, it has the potential to create 3,500 construction jobs and more than 2,300 operational jobs.
This could create a window of opportunity for those interested in pursuing apprenticeships in Queensland related to this sector.
The project is to consist of four underground coal mines, two open-cut coal mines, a port facility at Abbott Point and a 468km standard-gauge railway line.
Once operational, it is expected to produce 40 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of thermal coal for export, with a life expectancy of around 30 years.
