Carl said $4 billion was the total for the steel plant including the infrastructure needed by the plant
The timing of this release yesterday seems to line up with what they would now know about any effects to them of a carbon tax
It seems the Queensland State Government have been behind this steel plant from the beginning, an older release from them:
31 March 2009 1500 JOBS IN GLADSTONE STEEL PROJECT
Queensland Coordinator-General Colin Jensen today declared a new steel making facility proposed by Boulder Steel Limited at Gladstone a 'significant project'.
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe said the Coordinator-General will now provide a streamlined approvals process across the whole of Government and require the project to undergo a rigorous environmental impact assessment.
"This proposed steel making facility has the potential to create 1500 construction and 1150 long term jobs in Gladstone," said Mr Hinchliffe.
"There is also the potential for 1800 jobs to be generated throughout the Central Queensland economy for services to support the project.
"This project would generate a new industry base in Central Queensland and improve the skill base of the labour pool.
"Boulder Steel Limited is an Australian listed company committed to the development of a significant steel making operation in the Gladstone State Development Area.
"The company expects the facility would have an initial export capacity of 2.1 million tonnes per annum.
"It would generate export revenue through significant increases to locally sourced raw materials, including a large coke making facility.
"Boulder's proposed integrated steel mill at Aldoga would include associated haulage facilities for raw materials and steel products using the existing port facilities in Gladstone."
The project is proposed to be developed in two stages with the initial export of 2.1 Mtpa of steel product in late 2012 increasing to 5 Mtpa in the second stage.
Each stage is expected to cost $1.4 billion to construct.
"It is important for the public to know that a significant project for which an EIS is required is not an indication of approval or support for a project," Mr Jensen said.
"Rather it signals the beginning of a rigorous assessment of the project's impacts on the natural, social, economic, built and cultural environment.
The first opportunity for the public to have their say will be when the draft terms of reference for the EIS are released in the near future.
Visit www.dip.qld.gov.au for more details.
Media: Matthew Klar 0437 435 223
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