QCA chairman Daryl McDonough told ABC News it was working as swiftly as possible and even holding out-of-session meetings to reach a ruling.

 

Prime Infrastructure had requested approval to increase access charges so it can fund infrastructure expansion at the port in an attempt to increase through-put at the over loaded port.

 

The queue of coal ships waiting to be loaded outside the central Queensland port had grown to 48 vessels this year.

 

Last year the QCA made a draft ruling cutting Dalrymple Bay's terminal infrastructure charges to $1.53 per tonne.

 

Dalrymple Bay Users Group chairman Mike Allen previously told International Longwall News whilst the current fee was $2.08/t, he expected to negotiate a price below $2/t with Prime.

 

"The floor is what the QCA process has indicated and I think Prime has accepted it is going to be something less that the current $2.08. The worst case for Prime is it will be $1.53, but I think there is scope for something a bit different," he said.

 

McDonough said a decision was expected by mid-April.