Team Bleattie..Coalfields project to Result in Jobs Boom

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COALFIELDS EXPLOSIVES PROJECT TO RESULT IN JOBS BOOM

The proposal for a $500 million Moranbah Ammonium Nitrate project is a step closer to reality with finalisation by the Co-ordinator-General of the terms of reference for an environmental impact statement.

Premier Peter Beattie said: The Co-ordinator-General declared the proposal a significant project earlier this year which was the trigger for a study of the environmental, social and economic impacts of the project.

Public comment on the draft terms of reference has now been incorporated and the investigations have begun in earnest.

This project will generate jobs for 400 people during peak construction and 90 people when operational.

Dyno Nobel is a leading global producer of ammonium nitrate for use in the production of commercial explosives.

The company jointly owns and operates an existing ammonium nitrate plant in Moura, with partners CSBP Ltd, which produces 180,000 tonnes a year.

The company proposes to construct and operate an ammonium nitrate plant near Moranbah in the northern Bowen Basin where much of Queenslands mining activity is occurring, said Mr Beattie.

The project will include an ammonia plant, a nitric acid plant, an ammonium nitrate plant and an emulsion manufacturing plant.

It will produce about 300 000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate each year.

Early investigations indicate that this project has the potential to provide an important value-adding process for the coal seam gas reserves in the Moranbah region.

The overall capital investment of this project by Dyno Nobel in the region will be a significant boost to the Central Queensland economy.

The Queensland Government will work closely with Dyno Nobel, the Moranbah community, the Belyando Shire Council and other key regional stakeholders to address water, housing, road infrastructure or other requirements.

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*Found this DNRM&W and Beattie statement. While searching the internet for information about where Bowen is going to get this much water, I have discovered that the Beattie Government has spent years planning water and infrastructure projects to supply the mining industry as well as other industry. He's been so busy trying to make himself the self appointed 'King of Australia' by setting the QLD Gov up to rake in the money and also by attempting to gain envy and respect from other countries, states and Federal level politicians, that he's totally forgotten about the populations dwindling household water supply. If he had've put this much effort into household water supplies five years ago, Brisbane wouldn't be up sh*t creek without a paddle and we wouldn't be losing our homes and valley.
This goose doesn't want to be Premier of Queensland..he wants to be the Sultan of Brunei.*

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Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Water
The Honourable Henry Palaszczuk

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Industry called on to support Water for Bowen project

Joint statement

by

The Hon. Henry Palaszczuk MP, Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Water

and

Jan Jarratt MP, Member for Whitsunday

An opportunity to secure additional water supplies and future development potential for Bowen now rests with the region’s farmers and industry leaders.

Water Minister Henry Palaszczuk and Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt said $3 million had been committed by the Queensland Government and SunWater to further investigate the feasibility of a 130-kilometre pipeline from BurdekinRiver to Bowen.

“If approved, more than 60,000 megalitres of water will be channelled and piped into the region from the BurdekinFallsRiver,” Mr Palaszczuk said.

“The Queensland Government and SunWater were seeking $1.5 million in financial support from water users to match their financial commitment to the project.”

The combined funds of $4.5 million would be used to carry out stage two of the project’s feasibility study. If the necessary funds were not obtained from potential customers, the project would be deemed unviable due to lack of commercial interest.

Ms Jarratt said Water for Bowen project could bring significant growth to the region and water users should not ignore this opportunity.

“SunWater studies reveal a water supply scheme tapping into the Burdekin Falls Dam could lead to significant regional expansion in agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture production and also attract other industries sourcing secure and reliable water supply,” Ms Jarratt said.

Ms Jarratt said the Water for Bowen project was part of the Beattie Government’s holistic approach to water supply solutions during the state’s long-running drought, which ensured not only water security for regions hard hit by water shortages, but also growth where possible.

“The Beattie Government has shown its commitment to this project, and I urge all potential water users who stand to benefit from it, to also flag their support so we can move forward and deliver long-term water security and prosperity to Bowen,” she said.

Water users who financially commit themselves to the project’s feasibility study would become foundation customers and benefit from significantly cheaper water charges once the project was completed.

At the launch, potential customers received project information kits and contribution agreements enabling them to indicate the extent of their financial support.

Water users have until 6 July 2006 to indicate their support. A series of information meetings over the coming months will enable water users to find out more about the project.


Premier & Treasurer
The Honourable Peter Beattie

Friday, December 16, 2005

Funding For Water Study Boost For Bowen Development

Premier Peter Beattie and the Member for Whitsunday, Jan Jarratt, today announced State Government funding of $1.5 million towards further investigations into the feasibility of delivering water 130 km from the Burdekin River Dam south to the Bowen region.

Mr Beattie said the funding would be matched by water provider SunWater, which had already completed the first stage of an investigation into the viability of, and demand for, a water supply scheme for Bowen.

"Stage One of the Water for Bowen feasibility study completed by SunWater has demonstrated that - with sufficient demand - it may be viable to establish a new water scheme for the Bowen area," Mr Beattie said.

"The availability of new water in Bowen would present new development opportunities for a range of sectors including irrigation, industry, tourism, aquaculture and other uses."

Ms Jarratt said this was a big step forward on a very significant project.

"I'm delighted that we are now getting to a stage where we can see light at the end of the tunnel," Ms Jarratt said.

"Bowen is a great community and this is another big step towards ensuring that local residents will be able to benefit from future development."

Mr Beattie said that the Queensland Government was willing to support Stage 2 of investigations, but locals would also be asked to show their support for the project through local funding.

"My Government and SunWater have each made a $1.5 million commitment towards the completion of the feasibility study, but it also requires $1.5 million of local commercial support for Stage 2 of the study to proceed," Mr Beattie said.

"Studies conducted by SunWater have found there is now an awareness among potential users about the scarcity of water in the region and a greater awareness of the value and cost of water. The clear indication they've received is that the community will support this project.

"Communities now understand that projects such as 'Water for Bowen' can only proceed if they are commercially viable and have local support.

"Industries are also recognising that water is a finite resource and that lack of water can severely hinder economic and business development."

"I strongly urge interested parties to get on board and commit funds to guarantee that the study can continue," the Premier said.

The second stage of the feasibility study will include detailed engineering studies and an environmental impact study and will take 18 months to complete.

If the project is found to be viable, up to 60,000 megalitres of water could be supplied to the Bowen region.