Boom to bust for Queensland ports
Debate is raging over whether Queensland’s port capacity has shifted from shortfall to surplus as a result of developments during the mining boom.
The Centre for Policy Development published a report recently saying that coal terminals were operating far under capacity – at about 65%.
The report entitled ‘Too many ports in a storm’, included a recommendation that no further port approvals be decided before 2020, and that the state adjust its “boom time” policies to ones that are more reflective of the current situation.
The CPD findings have been criticised however by the Queensland Resources Council which says the centre was using “dodgy figures” and more port capacity is needed to avoid bottlenecks, particularly following approval for a major coal mine in the Galilee Basin.
The debate comes about as Queensland develops a new ports strategy. The state government released a draft Strategy in October and took public comments until just before the end of 2013.
