The value of those exports through the R.G. Tanna Coal Terminal rose 29.7% from A$788 925 million dollars to $1.023 billion dollars - as compared to the same quarter last year, Queensland state premier Peter Beattie said while inspecting the port.

The export tonnages out of Gladstone for the three months ended July rose 14.4% - or 1,445,928 tonnes - to 11,484,833t from the 10,038,905t recorded for the same period last year.

Gladstone's coal exporting capacity was expected to rise another 50% in the coming three years where $167.5 million - involving up to 250 construction jobs - is being spent over the next three years.

This project will increase the port's capacity from 40 million tonnes to 54Mt a year.

"The throughput here - 50 years after it started - is simply staggering," Beattie said.

"And in recent times the Central Queensland Port Authority has indicated that the throughput will climb to at least 63Mt by 2007. The Authority stalwarts of the past - the Marty Hansons, the Alf O'Rourkes and the Reg Tannas would indeed be very proud.”