THE Queensland Government has welcomed the appointment of Ross Dunning to a critical role in coordinating Queensland’s coal supply chain.
The appointment coincides with the release of Stephen O’Donnell’s second and final report into the Goonyella Coal Chain Capacity.
The appointment of a central coordinator was a key recommendation of the first O’Donnell report.
Dunning will work with all parties in the coal supply chain, clarify roles and responsibilities and identify ways to enhance the capacity and reliability of the chain.
Jointly funded by the Queensland Government and the Queensland Resources Council, the review builds on the first report released by then Premier Peter Beattie on 30 July 2007.
The initial O’Donnell report focused on the immediate capacity constraints in the supply chain servicing the coal export markets through the Port of Hay Point.
The second report completes the work of identifying industry dissatisfaction over system performance shortcomings, and makes recommendations to improve efficiency ‘from mine to port’.
In the report, O’Donnell noted the successful implementation of the recommendations contained in his first report.
He also cautioned that the supply chain was complex, there were no easy fixes and that all parties needed to work cooperatively to achieve the best outcomes for Queensland.
A Dalrymple Bay Coal Chain Board has been established and Seamus French, CEO of Anglo Coal Australia, has been appointed as the inaugural chair.
French said a memorandum of understanding defining a new, positive structure and approach to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Chain is being signed off by each member of the Dalrymple Bay Coal Chain Board and service providers such as QR and Babcock and Brown Infrastructure.
The Goonyella Coal Chain Capacity Review second and final report can be downloaded from the Queensland Transport website: www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Industry/Rail/Goonyella_coal_chain_capacity_review/