Proposed Coal Development
Waratah’s is only one of a number of huge coal development planned for the Galilee Basin which currently has no coal mines, unlike the heavily exploited Bowen Basin to the east. The other major player in the area is Hancock with two mines proposed (Alpha and Kevin’s Corner).
Waratah Coal’s “China First” proposal entails developing one of Australia’s largest coal mines that will export up to 50 million tonnes of coal each year, a 500km rail line, a water pipeline, a coal stockyard directly adjacent to the Calley Valley Wetlands, and an expanded port at Abbot Point between Mackay and Townsville. Waratah’s initial proposal involved developing a port at Shoalwater Bay but the proposal was rejected by Minister Garrett in September 2008 on the grounds that it would have an unacceptable impact on the “internationally recognised Shoalwater and Corio Bay Ramsar wetlands and the high wilderness value of Shoalwater”. The company has also proposed to build a clean coal power plant close to their mine north-west of Alpha. Waratah’s proposed development received support and was declared to be a ‘project of state significance’ by Premier Bligh in July 2008 and a ‘major project’ by Anthony Albanese in November 2009 .