Queensland’ export industry is gearing up for a new era for coal exports after the Goonyella to Abbot Point (GAP) rail link as officially opened today.
The billion dollar rail project had the first loaded coal train travel on the rail line today.
Acting Premier Andrew Fraser said the event was the needed step to unlocking wealth in the Bowen Basin for all Queenslanders.
“The 69 km stretch of rail line increases the capacity of Queensland’s coal exports to 50 million tonnes per year through the Port of Abbot Point and improves the efficiency and flexibility of our coal export industry,” Mr Fraser said.
“This project is a key component of track expansions stretching from Goonyella to Abbot Point which have created an approximately total of 800 jobs and bolstered regional economies in Central Queensland.
Mr Faser said the GAP project was part of the government’s push to transforming Queensland’s coal export industry in order to generate significant economic growth.
