The Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has written a letter stating the renewal of projects MPF status to 31 December 2016 and added that he expects significant progress of the in the development of project by the specified time.
"I have written to the Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard, several of my ministerial colleagues and the Hon. Campbell Newman, Premier of Queensland, informing them of my decision to grant MPF status to your project and seeking their active cooperation in assisting the project," Albanese added in the letter.
Waratah managing director Nui Harris remarked that the state government has previously identified the significance of China First development and further noted that the renewal of its MPF status was a major step in the process.
"MPF status provides a service to support a timely and efficient approvals process for the proposed development," said Harris.
Meanwhile, the company is planning to develop a thermal coal mine in the Galilee basin, with the annual production capacity of 40 million tons, over a mine life of 25 years.
"The China First development will open up a massive new energy resource in the Galilee Basin and benefit both the Queensland and national economy," claimed Harris.
