The eight regional mayors who accompanied Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to India last week to demonstrate their support for Adani's proposed $21 billion Carmichael Coal mine-rail-port project are now awaiting a final decision to go ahead from the company.
The mayors included Jenny Hill from Townsville, Margaret Strelow from Rockhampton, Greg Williamson from Mackay, Matt Burnett from Gladstone, Andrew Wilcox from Whitsunday, Liz Schmidt from Charters Towers, Anne Baker from Isaac and Kerry Hayes from Central Highlands.
“These Mayors represent one in every seven Queenslanders, and 14 percent of Queensland's area,” the Premier said during a tour of India’s biggest port at Mundra in Gujarat state.
She said the presence of the mayors in her delegation showed their commitment to the Adani project, which has been the target of fierce protests from green groups and those opposed to an expansion to coal mining in Queensland.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the delegation could prove the “decisive factor” in determining if Adani goes ahead with the project.
“The Carmichael mine, rail and port project is a once in a generation opportunity that we have to embrace with both hands,’’ she said.
Adani is due to make its final decision in April.