Transport Minister John Mickel said the Coal Transport Infrastructure Program would set forth plans for major transport infrastructure development in the state to 2015 and beyond.

“It's a key component within a broader $15 billion coal infrastructure program of actions initiated in 2005,” he said.

“It will identify the best options to deliver that infrastructure, and ensure our export supply chain is operating with maximum efficiency."

Major planned developments in Queensland include new rail links in the northern Bowen and Surat basins, the expansion of the port of Abbot Point to 50–100 million tonnes per annum and a new coal terminal at Wiggins Island in Gladstone, providing up to an extra 85Mtpa capacity.

The Queensland Resources Council has welcomed the program, with chief executive Michael Roche saying the performance of Queensland's coal supply chains is of "vital importance" to the state's economy.

“At a time of buoyant global demand for Queensland's world-class coals, the importance of a cogent summary of the capacity and expansion paths for these supply chains can not be overstated," Roche said.

Queensland's coal industry is already worth more than $20 billion a year, with exports reaching 153Mt in the last financial year.

Based on current demand, Queensland coal exports are projected to grow by 42% to 2010 and a further 40% by 2015.