Governmental guidelines for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to be undertaken on the proposed deep sea port facility at Port Bonython, South Australia, have been issued, helping to move the project forward.
The South Australian government has said that the EIS for the AUS$600m proposed facility could take up to 18 months, but it will ensure the project meets all the requirements prior to construction.
The privately funded bulk commodities export facility was granted major development status in March this year. This follows its selection as the most appropriate port location in terms of water depth, land availability and proximity to rail and proposed mining projects in the area.
The development proposes a three kilometre jetty and conveyance system, iron ore storage facility and a rail line connecting the facility to the existing Port Augusta/Whyalla rail line.
Moreover, it will accommodate cape sized vessels capable of carrying up to 180,000 tonnes of cargo.
The SA government wants to build on the state’s impressive reputation within the mining sector and provide a direct link to the global export market.
The Spencer Gulf Port Link Consortium (SGPL), the preferred bidder for the EIS project, has welcomed the guidelines, which it says are a key development for advancing the construction of the new facility.
The Spencer Gulf Port Link Consortium comprises Flinders Port Holdings, Leighton Contractors, Macquarie Capital, BIS Industrial Logistics and ARTC.
The deep sea facility has previously raised concerns in the nearby Whyalla community regarding coastal access and also over a population of giant cuttlefish in the area.
Despite news of the EIS guidelines, grumblings are continuing with some politicians calling for an independent EIS to be conducted amidst concerns that proponent EISs underestimate the risk and overestimate ability to deal with problems.
