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Qld to scrutinise Palmer power station bid

Queensland Planning Minister Steven Miles will scrutinise an application for a controversial coal-fired power station proposed by Clive Palmer's Waratah Coal.

Waratah, a subsidiary of Mr Palmer's Mineralogy, submitted a development application for the power plant with Barcaldine Regional Council in central Queensland.

The application was made under a 2006 planning scheme that does not require public consultation.

But Planning Minister Steven Miles has called in the application, saying this will make sure a thorough planning assessment can be made on the project and the community get their say.

"Barcaldine Regional Council has never assessed a project of this size," he said.

"This call in allows the state to address a broader range of matters than the council was able to under their planning scheme."

Calling in the project places approval of the power station in the state government's hands.