Two key Central Queensland Federal MPs have welcomed today’s announcement that the Adani coal mining project has received Commonwealth environmental approval.

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry and Rockhampton-based Senator Matthew Canavan said the decision ensures a fair balance between job creation and the environment.

The Carmichael Mine – about 165km from Clermont in Capricornia – is expected to create up to 10,000 jobs during the life of the operation and export coal back to India.

Ms Landry said Central Queensland families seeking jobs and the environment will be joint winners from the approval.

“I have been fighting for this project because it means jobs for hard-working Capricornia families and a boost to businesses and contractors and I am glad that common sense has prevailed,” Ms Landry said.

“This is Queensland’s biggest coal development to date and we need it to go ahead because it means 10.000 jobs over the life of the project. Both qualified workers and the environment are joint winners here because the project has been given the green light subject a range strict environmental conditions to safeguard native wildlife and waterways. And the Minister has the power to suspend approval and apply strict penalties if there is a breach of any of the conditions.”

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt announced the approval today under national environment laws, subject to 36 strict conditions. Previously, the mine had been stalled due to court action from Greens groups and concern over an ornamental snake and a Yakka skink that live in the area.

While welcoming the Carmichael decision, Senator Canavan said it was a disgrace that approval had been delayed by court action by environmental activists.

“Today’s announcement is fantastic news for job-seekers in Central Queensland. It will have direct benefits in regional communities like Alpha, Bowen, Clermont, Emerald, Mackay, Moranbah, Rockhampton and Townsville,” the Senator said.

“Sadly, and cynically, environmental activists have a well-publicised strategy to disrupt and delay key projects and infrastructure. Legal challenges in the courts are an essential element in this anti-coal campaign, with a published tactic to, quote, ‘get in front of the critical projects to slow them down in the approval process’.

“I’m calling on environmental activists to do the right thing, get out f the way and green-light jobs growth for Queensland.”