Abbot Point Operations (APO) has a new leader to help steer the ship at Bowen’s North Queensland Export Terminal after former General Manager Allan Brown stepped down to enter semi-retirement.

APO’s Finance Manager Damien Dederer has been appointed the business’ new General Manager, transitioning into the role after five years as a senior member of the APO leadership team under Mr Brown.

Mr Dederer said he was excited to continue to build on APO’s 40-year legacy of safe and responsible operations for the benefit of the Terminal’s leaseholders, customers, and the local community.

“It’s an enormous privilege to get to lead such a dedicated and supportive team of employees and professional contract personnel,” Mr Dederer said.

“The more than 300 local men and women who work at the Terminal take great pride in how their jobs make a difference in the lives of people at home, and overseas.

“The good news is Queensland’s export thermal and metallurgical coal industry has a bright future ahead of it working in concert with renewables to provide the affordable and reliable energy solutions nations in the Asia Pacific region need to reduce poverty and power growth.

“That means the North Queensland Export Terminal will be operating safely and responsibly for another 40 years, at least, and that means APO can continue to provide the jobs, training, and corporate giving that help make our part of the world such a special place to call home.”

Mr Dederer grew up in Monto where he met his wife, Tanya, and his career has spanned roles in education, power generation, manufacturing, mining, rail, and port operations across Queensland. He is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Masters of Accounting from Central Queensland University and a Bachelor of Teaching from the Queensland University of Technology.

APO is contracted by Terminal leaseholder NQXT to manage the operations and maintenance of the multi-billion-dollar facility which is located within the Port of Abbot Point about 20 minutes north of Bowen.

A record 34.7 million tonnes of metallurgical and thermal coal from mines in the Bowen and Galilee basins was exported through the North Queensland Export Terminal last Australian financial year.

ENDS

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