Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington has confirmed the future of the Meandu Mine near Kingaroy is secured, with the Crisafulli Government committing to extend its operational life through to 2040 and providing long-term certainty for workers, families and regional communities.

This extension guarantees the long-term security of 500 workers at the mine and supports reliable baseload power for Queensland homes and industry.

Ms Frecklington said the announcement was a major boost for the South Burnett region.

“The Meandu Mine extension provides certainty for hundreds of workers in the South Burnett,” Deb said.

“This extension supports local jobs, providing certainty to families who call this region home, and to local business owners who can continue to operate knowing they are supported by a strong local economy.”

“This is another example of the Crisafulli Government delivering for the Nanango electorate and all hard-working coal communities by unlocking regional opportunities and building long-term economic capacity.”

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the extension sent a clear message to Queenslanders that coal-fired generation will continue to power the State for decades to come.

“The role of coal-fired power has a long future in Queensland, and I want every coal worker in this State to know that the Crisafulli Government supports your industry,” Minister Last said.

Coal from the Meandu Mine is exclusively supplied to the Tarong and Tarong North coal-fired power stations which provide approximately 20 per cent of Queensland’s energy needs.

The Crisafulli Government is backing coal communities and is delivering a better lifestyle for regional Queensland through a stronger economy after Labor’s anti-mining policies risked thousands of jobs.