A NEW, high efficiency, low emissions coal-fired power station at Collinsville would promote jobs and economic development in the region, according to Whitsunday MP Jason Costigan.
The NQ First leader today unveiled the party's $1billion dollar 'powering the North' program, which includes $400 million for the Collinsville facility.
The projects are subject to NQ First securing the balance of power at the October 31 state election.
Mr Costigan said the funding, which was part of his $6 billion 'real royalties for the regions' program, would help deliver energy security for North, Far North and Central Queensland while driving down power prices for consumers including irrigators and small business.
"NQ First is the only party committed to that HELE power station at Collinsville, which has been talked about for years," Mr Costigan said.
"The technology is proven and we have copious amounts of thermal coal in the Bowen Basin - so much so that we continue to export it to fire coal-fired power stations around the world but for some reason, these politicians down south refuse to commit to it in North Queensland.
"If we secure the balance of power, we'll have a mandate to implement our policies and programs and when it comes to energy, that means a HELE power station, strategically located at the northern tip of the Bowen Basin."
Mr Costigan said the $400m investment in a new power station at Collinsville, funded by royalties from the resources sector, would deliver a jobs bonanza for North, Far North and Central Queensland ahead of an expected reduction in the cost of baseload power.
He said the federal government could also contribute to the project through their Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.
