greatbarrier

The support from the parliament clears way for a compensation deal signed by Adani with Isaac Regional Council in February 2016.

State Development and Natural Resources and Mines Minister Anthony Lynham said that the parliament agreed a motion which would help create jobs in North and Central Queensland.

Lynham said: "The government strongly supports the sustainable development of the Galilee Basin for the jobs and economic development it could provide for regional Queensland.

"For that reason the government and the independent coordinator general have been working closely with Adani to facilitate their approvals in accordance with statutory obligations."

The approval of the mining leases, however, is subject to reaching compensation agreements.

Mayor Anne Baker said: "This compensation agreement fundamentally provides Adani with access to Council roads and reserves integral to the project while maintaining public access."

The project approvals, however, are being opposed by the environmental groups which claim that the project could threaten the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

Greenpeace estimates the 28,000ha coal mine, upon reaching full production, would release 121 million tons of greenhouse gas annually and ship 60 million tons of coal directly through the Reef.

Planned to commence coal production in 2017, the Carmichael mine is estimated to hold 20 billion tons of JORC-compliant thermal coal resources, including 3.4 billion tons of measured and indicated resources.


Image: A pat of the Great Barrier Reef adjacent to the Queensland coastal areas of Airlie Beach and Mackay. Photo: courtesy of NASA, by MISR/Wikipedia.