The LNP has today welcomed Adani’s continued commitment to North and Central Queensland, with several management and logistical announcements being made, as a number of final approvals for the Carmichael mine project drawn nearer to a conclusion.

Shadow Minister for Mines and Northern Development, Andrew Cripps, said the much anticipated announcement that Adani’s regional operations centre would be based in Townsville, would boost confidence in the economy across North Queensland.

Mr Cripps said the placement of Adani’s corporate staff and construction managers in Townsville makes sense, given North Queensland’s largest city boasted good access to the project’s mine, rail and port interests, as well as a range of professional and commercial services.

“We also welcome the announcement that Adani will locate its port operations and base its short term rail construction and long term rail operations teams in Bowen and the Port of Abbot Point, a community that has strongly supported this project for years” said Mr Cripps.

“The LNP also commends Adani for its decision to locate remote operations centres for the Carmichael project in Emerald, Moranbah, Clermont, Collinsville and Charters Towers, demonstrating its commitment to communities across North and Central Queensland” he said.

Mr Cripps said the former LNP Government provided strong support to Adani throughout the long and drawn out process to secure its primary mining and environmental approvals for the Carmichael project, in recognition of its potential to create thousands of regional jobs.

“Since early 2015, while the Palaszczuk Government interfered in the approval process at Abbot Point and had to be dragged kicking and screaming to deliver mining and environmental approvals, the LNP’s support has been absolutely unwavering”.

“The Carmichael mine project is the most advanced project in the vast Galilee Basin and as a first mover, Adani’s commitment to invest is important in terms of building confidence for other projects to follow, including GVK Hancock’s Alpha coal project”.

Mr Cripps said the LNP supported Adani’s application to the North Australia Infrastructure Facility for investment in a multi user rail line from the Galilee Basin to Abbot Point, as a critical piece of economic infrastructure to develop North and Central Queensland.