Federal Dawson MP George Christensen says he expects a decision on the Abbott Point coal terminal expansion at Bowen, in north Queensland, to be made within three weeks.

The Federal Government was due to make a decision about the expansion by early November but it has been pushed back a month.

The proposal is to more than double the size of the Abbot Point coal terminal near Bowen.

Bowen Business Chamber spokesman Bruce Hedditch says the setback is frustrating.

“I know there’s a lot of thought to be put into it but the matter’s been going on for such a long time,” he said.

“We were told the Coalition would make a decision within 60 days of being elected.”

However, Mr Christensen says the Government needs to ensure the proposal meets environmental standards.

“We expect to be well in advance of the time frames given – I expect we’ll see something in the next three weeks,” he said.

“The delay, as I understand it, is to give some wriggle room around the November 9 deadline.”

If it is approved, Abbot Point would become one of the biggest coal terminals in the world.