Project to set city up for future

SO it’s a date. Adani’s announcement that work on its $ 16.5 billion Carmichael coal project will start in October — in other words, within weeks — is a significant milestone.

It adds a dose of reality to the white noise surrounding this epic project. Despite all the fury of green extremists, this mine is proceeding — and Townsville and the North will be immensely richer for it.

Already one Charters Towers firm, GA Services, is benefiting, having won the contract to refurbish Adani’s existing camp accommodation. More staff are moving into Adani’s Townsville headquarters.

But the current activity is a drop in the ocean compared with the jobs and economic activity that will soon ramp up once the construction phase begins. To even get to this point is a remarkable feat of resilience and stamina on behalf of the Indian mining giant.

Since it launched its interest in the project in 2010, Adani has sought and gained approvals under seven different federal and state acts.

It has secured 42 environmental and planning approvals for the mine, rail, port and supporting infrastructure projects.

These approvals include more than 1800 environmental conditions.

Indeed this is the most environmentally scrutinised mining project in Australian history.

When it does proceed, it will be a triumph for Adani but also for Queensland and Australia. It will prove that we are not so paralysed by the green movement that we present a sovereign risk to international investors.

It will also demonstrate that we can navigate the terrain of conflicting economic and environmental interests to deliver an outcome that both safeguards our lands and seas and underpins our future prosperity.

This is a project that, contrary to the doomsday proclamations of a noisy few, will help set up Townsville for the future.

Adani may be employing thousands of locals for this giant mine, but it is also embracing world class technology and techniques. Townsville and the North will benefit enormously from the knowledge and skills workers on this project will accrue.

It will enhance this city’s manufacturing and mining services reputation and help bolster our industrial base. Properly managed, this is a project that can demonstrate to all Australians, and indeed environmentally conscious citizens of the world, that our natural world can thrive alongside large- scale industrial activity.