ABC reported that the Queensland Government has brought a billion dollar coal project in the southern inland a step closer to reality after approving the next phase of its development.

Mr Jeff Seeney deputy premier and minister for state development has given Cockatoo Coal permission to begin an environmental impact statement for its planned 5,800 hectare Taroom coal mine.

Mr Seeney said that the community will have the opportunity to comment on the EIS when it is released in 2013 ton2014.

Source - ABC.net

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