Move over Brexit, angry regional Queenslanders are talking Quexit as they feel the state Labor government has taken too long to make a decision on the proposed Adani coal mine in the Galilee Basin.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is touring regional Queensland after demanding a time frame be set by Friday for vetting two outstanding management plans for the job creating Carmichael project.
But many locals say they feel it is too little, too late and preparations are underway for a day of action in the region to call for more development and approval for the mine.
Mackay mayor Greg Williamson said regional communities were still angry at the Bob Brown Convoy and felt frustrated and "cut off" from the state government.
"We have had rallies where we have never rallied before and I spoke to a guy with a grinder just doing his day's work and he said 'Quexit, bring it on'. That's the feeling of people in regional Queensland," he said.
"The regions in Queensland and across Australia have found their voice and we have to make sure that voice is continually heard."
He said there was no doubt that had Labor won the federal election, the Adani mine would have been scrapped by the state government.
Rockhampton mayor Margaret Strelow wants Adani to get a "fair go" and for the Galilee Basin to be opened up.
She has called for a day of action on Friday to demand a long-term policy vision for regional Queensland and approvals for the Adani mine and other projects.
"As part of the day, we will be launching a petition to be lodged in the Queensland state parliament calling for more action in regional areas."
The mayor of Isaac Shire, the region which is home to the majority of the Carmichael mine site, agreed authorities needed to find a way to strategically plan and responsibly deliver the $40 billion of untapped thermal coal in the Galilee Basin.
"If the Carmichael project is going to do that and deliver jobs and deliver business and deliver economic growth to the state and to the country, then off you go," Mayor Anne Baker said.
"I think it is time to man up."
There are 26 mines in the Isaac region which delivered $1.5 billion in royalties in the last financial year.
Adani says the Carmichael thermal coal mine will create 1500 jobs and another 6750 during the construction of the proposed 10 million tonne per annum project.
The day of action rally will be at the Rockhampton's Riverside Precinct at midday.
