$3.5bn Collie project given major status

Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers' $3.5 billion Collie urea operation has been granted a major project facilitation status by the federal government, allowing it to have issues responded to promptly.

The Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Development today granted the status.

MPF is administered with the purpose of facilitating and supporting private sector investment proposals throughout the approvals process and ensures that the Australian Government responds promptly to issues raised.

The Perdaman Collie Urea project will be Australia's first gasification plant, turning Collie coal into urea (fertiliser) and will deliver considerable benefits to the West Australian economy, with planned capital expenditure of approximately $3.5billion and annual export earnings in excess of $800 million.

Upon granting MPF, The Honourable Anthony Albanese MP said that it highlighted the Government's efforts to support investment that will position Australia to take full advantage of the global economic recovery.

Director (Corporate) of Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers, Mr Andreas Walewski, said that it was another positive step forward for the project.

"Achieving Major Project Facilitation status shows the level of support that both the State Government and Federal Government is willing to provide for the Perdaman Collie Urea project and underlines the significance that this project will have to industry innovation and economic growth."

Perdaman has developed an Australian Industry Participation Plan to ensure that Australian industry is provided with full, fair and reasonable opportunity to participate in the Project. One of the main aspects of the AIPP is the use of Project Connect (www.projectconnect.com.au) to communicate supply opportunities and facilitate expressions of interest.

Perdaman plans to commence construction on the Perdaman Collie Urea project in the last quarter of 2010.