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Ist Noveberl P. M. No. 52/ L61
IMPROVED HARBOUR #. ND COIL LO.. DING FACILITIES AT
GLAD3TONE
Statement by the Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. R. G. M4enzies
Recently the Premier of Queensland ( Mr. Niclin)
sought Coronrealth financial assistance tc-wards the cost of
improving the facilities at Gladstone H.-rbour for the export of
coal to Japan. There is the prospect that at least one nillion
tons of coal from the Lov. iur Dawson Valley nay be exported
t'rough the port of Gladstone during the next five years. The
improvements it is proposed to carry out include the provision
of new coal loading facilities and the deepening of the port to
pernit access by larger vessels. These irprovements are
estimated to cost œ C405,000.
The Commonwealth Governament has been impressed by the
prospect of substantial additional export earninjs which
improvement of these harbolir and loading facilities would permit.
The Coimmonwealth has therefore offered queensland
financial assistance towards the cost of iz7proving the
facilities at Gladstone. The assistance is contingent upon a
contract being obtained for the export of at least one million
tons of coal from the Lower Dawson Valley within a five-year
period. Subject to this, the Co. rmonwealth will provide a total
of œ 200,000 towards the project. Of this, œ 100,000 will be a
, rant, and the remaining œ 100,000 will be a :: epayable long-terrm
loan. The Queensland Government Las accepted this offer,
CANBiJORRA,
1st November, 1l61.