State Government gives less than three weeks to finish environmental approvals

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has told the State Government to “get on with it”, after a timeframe to deal with Adani’s approvals was finally announced.

THE Queensland Government has given itself less than three weeks to finish environmental approvals that will give the red or green light to the Adani coal mine.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced her Environment Department had until May 31 to finish approvals for the Black-Throated Finch Management Plan and until June 13 — three days after the state Budget — to complete the groundwater management plan.

“This is good news. This is a breakthrough,” Ms Palaszczuk said in Cairns today.

Ms Palaszczuk said the timeframes had been set by the independent Coordinator-General.

“Now, we’ve got some firm time frames for decision making to happen in relation to this project, and you know, our laws, Commonwealth and state, are strict,” she said.

“We need to make sure that projects do stack up.

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“The Coordinator-General has been working his guts out, frankly, and I’m very pleased that all parties have come to the table and have been working with the Coordinator-General.

She said she realised some people had expected longer time frames.

“Everybody needs to have these issues resolved,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said the full details of the Coordinator-General’s plan were being finalised and would be sent to her later today.

Following the announcement, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has told the State Government to “get on with it”.

“Regardless of who’s proposing a mine, or what the mine is, it just should comply with the relevant regulation and legislation, like any other project,” he said.

“People should have the certainty about those processes being followed, and not being delayed.

“They have a decision to make. They’re the authority on these questions, and they should make those decisions.”

He stressed the importance of a healthy trade and investment relationship with India.

“India is going to be an incredibly important investment partner for Australia, and it’s a two-way street,” Mr Morrison said.

“What does concern me has been the commentary, particularly that came from the Labor Party on this, about the concerns that it was an Indian company. I mean, what on earth has that got to do with it?”

The Premier flagged that the groundwater plan was contingent on CSIRO.

“The Coordinator-General is having detailed discussions with the CSIRO and I hope that the parties can work to those time frames that we’ve announced today,” she said.

In a pitch to regional Queensland, as well as regional MPs, the Premier flagged “a very strong emphasis on jobs and regional Queensland” in her upcoming Budget.

“All of my members of my team are part of the Queensland Government and we act in the best interests of Queenslanders, no matter where they live,” she said.

“Queensland’s a great state and my members can raise any issue they want with me, they know that.

“We listen. This is a listening government. I believe in consensus. I believe in talking to people.”

Adani mine CEO Lucas Dow in Brisbane this week. Picture: Annette Dew

Adani chief executive Lucas Dow welcomed Ms Palaszczuk’s announcement.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Mr Dow said he was looking forward to the “lengthy, independent and rigorous” process coming to an end.

“We are also encouraged that the Coordinator General will publish later today the Queensland Government’s target dates for finalising other project-related milestones,” he said.

“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.”