Work on the massive Abbot Point coal port expansion project will possibly continue regardless of changes in the political landscape this year, with the Environment Minister still set to make a decision this week.

The Bowen Business Chamber has expressed relief that a planned decision from the Environment minister about the expansion of the Abbot Point facility will go ahead, and likely be handed down by this Friday. The Minister will be considering a huge range of industry input and public outcry that has emerged since the project was announced.

There had been concern now that an election has been called, the multi-billion dollar expansion project would stall, but that does not seem to be the case. The Minister's department says Mr Butler still has the power to make the decision and that he will do so within the previously determined time-frame.

Bruce Hedditch from the Bowen Business Chamber just hopes the answer is positive: “I hope it's going to made on common sense and not on political grounds that will lead to a decision that's going to affect not only Bowen and the coal port but also Australia's future.”