colin barnett on opr extension..positive

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/barnett-tips-restructuring-of-oakajee-20101105-17hbe.html


Barnett tips restructuring of Oakajee November 5, 2010 - 6:34PM
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AAP

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has suggested some "modest restructuring" of the way work on the $4.3 billion Oakajee port and rail project proceeds.

On Thursday, one of the project's partners Murchison Metals said the Oakajee project, in WA's mid-west, would be delayed for up to six months as it waited for key agreements to be finalised.

It pushes out feasibility studies and means the first shipment through the port is now expected some time between late 2014 and early 2015.

Advertisement: Story continues below It was originally slated for early 2014.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Barnett said he was frustrated by the delay and would consider the request for a time extension by Murchison Metals during the next week.

The premier said there was scope for some restructuring of the Oakajee port and rail project and the Jack Hills iron ore project, of which Murchison Metals owns 50 per cent through Crosslands Resources.

"I say that in terms of Oakajee port and rail, while they've done a great deal of work and some very competent work, they have basically in their minds two projects," he told reporters.

Mr Barnett added: "Now the government mandate is over the railway and port project, the Jack Hills mine is a big project but it is one of several mining projects.

"I think the two are a little bit confused in the way (Murchison Metals) operates. That is a result of the way in which this was set up."

Mr Barnett said he had spoken to all of the existing players and suggested there may be some modest restructuring.

"So we have got a clear separation of objectives between the infrastructure of the railway and the port and the mine."