The coal terminal will be owned and developed by 18 coal companies and will double export capacity to 150 million tonnes per annum.
Under the mandate, the WICET coal exporters will act as owner, developer and lessee of the new port, while Gladstone Ports Corporation will act as lessor and operator of the terminal.
Premier Anna Bligh said the terminal would create up to 800 construction jobs and 300 ongoing jobs.
“WICET is currently seeking expressions of interest from coal producers requiring new or additional export capacity through the new terminal,” she said.
To complete the planning stages, WICET will seek commitments to enter take-or-pay contracts by July next year with sufficient future terminal users to secure funding for the initial development.
