PRO-MINING matters pushed other regional desires into the background when more than 100 people attended a Day of Action rally in Rockhampton earlier today.
Originally meant as a protest to remind the state government of Queensland's "forgotten" regions, the rally became more of a call to open the Galilee Basin to mining.
Organised by the Rockhampton Regional Council and hosted by its mayor Margaret Strelow, the rally attracted state Labor and LNP politicians as well as the public.
Queensland's opposition leader Deb Frecklington said there should be greater access to the Galilee Basin where Adani's controversial Carmichael Mine could open so there might be "more jobs" for regional Queenslanders.
"We need to make sure that these voices that are standing behind me want to be heard and should never be forgotten again," Ms Frecklington said.
About the time the rally was wrapping up, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed Adani's last environmental approvals related to protections for the black-throated finch (due by May 31) and groundwater management (June 13) would be confirmed within a "matter of weeks".
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Adani Australia chief executive Lucas Dow said the company had produced 11 versions of its groundwater plan and seven for the black-throated finch in the past 18 months.
He said Adani would increase safety around the ecologically important Doongmabulla Springs, including putting more bores in to detect any impact to the water sourced from the mine.
"Now it's really a case for the independent regulator to work through their internal processes and then they can make a determination and then we will be in a position to then start construction," Mr Dow said.
"Our (mine) construction activity will start as almost immediately as we've got these approvals."
Adani's proposed railway line plan is yet to be finalised.
Resource Industry Network general manager Adrienne Rourke said there could be as many as seven mines in the Galilee Basin and approval of Adani and its rail line would help their cause.