Queensland to finalise Adani plans

(Posted on 28/05/19)

The following statement can be attributed to the CEO of Adani Mining, Lucas Dow:

“We welcome the Premier’s announcement today that the regulator will reach a decision on the Black-Throated Finch Management Plan by 31 May 2019, and on the Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Management Plan by 13 June 2019. “We will work closely with the Queensland Government to achieve these timeframes and we expect that the Department of Environment and Science (DES) will now finalise these plans within weeks not months. “This is a positive step towards construction of the mine and rail project. “We will continue to uphold our end of the bargain and will undertake the necessary work to meet these timeframes, and we’re looking forward to the Queensland Government doing the same. “This will bring the lengthy, independent and rigorous two-year review process for these management plans to an end. “DES has been reviewing the groundwater management plans for more than two years, across 11 versions. In addition, pre-eminent scientific bodies CSIRO and Geoscience Australia have also conducted reviews of the groundwater management plans. “Over the past two years, seven versions of the Black-Throated Finch Management Plan have also been submitted to DES, consisting of more than 1,000 pages of advice. These have been assessed and verified by more than 10 different scientists, five environmental consultancy groups and even a Land Court judge. “We are also encouraged that the Coordinator General will publish later today the Queensland Government’s target dates for finalising other project-related milestones. “These project-related milestones include such things as the dates to finalise the royalties agreement, finalisation of the deed of access and sublease for the rail line and other relevant infrastructure agreements. “We are determined to see this through for the benefit of Queensland and in particular for people in regional Queensland.”