ADANI ‘ FAKE STAFF’ SPEAK OUT

Behind the scenes at miner’s city HQ

LOCALLY based staff at Adani Australia headquarters in South Townsville are “determined” to see the Carmichael coal mine through in spite of Labor leaders seemingly withdrawing their support. In a special tour of its offices yesterday, the company said it remained committed to the project.

ADANI Australia opened the doors of its Townsville offices to the Chamber of Commerce and media yesterday to demonstrate its commitment to the Carmichael project.

But when it comes to the start of construction, either on a rail line or a coal mine, the official line is “further rampup” depends on the outcome of court proceedings and land deals.

It is understood Adani is still seeking finance but has begun planning and early works.

“Our people are working on planning and early works for the mine and rail,” a spokeswoman said in a statement.

“Further ramp- up depends on the outcome of the current Federal Court proceeding and subsequent agreed freeholding of land at our mine.

“We remain committed to the Carmichael project and look forward to the time when even more people in places like Townsville, Rockhampton, Mackay and Bowen can join the Adani Australia team.”

The Townsville office in Tomlins St is the headquarters for the Carmichael project team.

Three floors of the eight- level building are occupied by some 200 people working for Adani and consultants AECOM.

The mood was “determined”, according to a worker, who said there was frustration at the Australian Labor Party’s stance, accusing the company of offering “fake jobs”.

The company’s average monthly salary bill for staff and seconded employees for the past six months was $ 7.2 million, the spokeswoman said.

Staff member Brenton Watts grew up in Townsville and has worked in resources for more than 10 years.

Mr Watts, a package co- ordinator arranging accommodation and project camps, has worked in Western Australia’s Pilbara and Papua New Guinea.

“About 80 per cent of my career, I’ve moved around FIFO and to capital cities. It’s great to have some permanent project work in my home town,” Mr Watts said.

Head of mining Llewellyn Lezare has been working with Adani for five years, moving to Townsville in October.

Mr Lezare said Adani had spent $ 1.4 billion on the mine through obtaining approvals, on the design processes, in exploration and drilling, and in cultural heritage surveys.

The geotechnical work on the 388km rail corridor was one of the biggest investigations of its type undertaken, project director Rupen Shah said.

Townsville Chamber of Commerce executive officer Marie- Claude Brown said the chamber supported the mine.

“While mining projects create a number of well- paying jobs, it’s really the supply chain that’s important,” she said.

“The resource sector buys a lot of services: analytics, data, engineering, drafting, logistics, health, food ... all of those things are based in this region.”

Ms Brown said support for the community, the arts, culture, and school and education programs was not always acknowledged.

“The corporate citizenship of a large player like Adani would certainly be welcomed by that sector,” she said.

It’s great to have some permanent project work in my home town BRENTON WATTS