Victory for Adani
Published on 13 June 2019
Today is a victory for the persistence of Adani.
Today is a victory for the regions of Queensland.
Today is a victory for common sense.
The last two and a half years have been a journey of ups and downs for both the Rockhampton Region and for Adani.
But Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said today’s news that construction at Carmichael Mine can now begin is the news we were all waiting for.
“Adani have faced a barrage of vexatious legal attacks and then lost time while they waited for court dates,” Mayor Strelow said.
“Political shenanigans have undoubtedly compounded Adani’s difficulties and made the journey that much harder. Australia’s reputation has suffered as a result.
“We have seen intimidation and distortion of the truth by activists on a global scale. Adani have demonstrated steely resolve in the face of unprecedented bullying.
“I applaud Senator Matt Canavan for his courage and plain speaking in support of the Carmichael Mine and I also acknowledge Michelle Landry’s unfailing support for this project.
“My ambition is that Rockhampton will be the ‘go to’ place for the whole Galilee Basin, and this news today is the foundation on which we will build.”
Although a significant proportion of the mine’s construction workers are guaranteed to come from the Rockhampton Regional Council area, initial workers will also be employed from a wider footprint and this will give a massive boost to the whole region.
“We don’t have a specific number of jobs, nor could anyone realistically give a number at this stage,” Mayor Strelow said.
“But we know that the Rockhampton Regional Council area will be a prime target for jobs for this project and that the company have flagged that they will certainly honour and return the commitment that we have shown them.”
Mayor Strelow said the flow-on benefits will be felt much wider.
“This is a whole of region celebration too, as there were always going to be a proportion of the initial construction jobs which came from outside either the Townsville or Rockhampton Regional Council areas. ” Mayor Strelow said.
Council’s in-house Economic Development arm, Advance Rockhampton, will be the primary contact between Rockhampton Region and Adani.
“The team at Rockhampton Regional Council have worked consistently with Adani towards this end and we have supported the company through some fairly torrid times,” Mayor Strelow said.
“I sincerely congratulate the team at Adani for taking the Carmichael project to commencement and we look forward to supporting the Mine as it begins its construction phase.
“We’ve heard a lot of words from politicians that downplay the importance of these jobs - but however many other projects there may be being created in Queensland at the moment - jobs in south-east Queensland have no positive impact on our regional economy.
“I’d like to signal the need for a continuing conversation with other levels of government about a serious package of incentives to support the growth of a greater diversity of industries, jobs and population in regional Queensland.”
https://www.advancerockhampton.com.au/Advance/Adani