Oz environmental impact under review
Plans to develop a coal port at Abbot Point in Queensland, Australia, are making progress with a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) released for public comment until 18 September 2015.
The proposed expansion of Abbot Point will boost its capacity to meet expected export demand from proposed Galilee Basin mining projects.
“This is a milestone for the sustainable development of the Galilee Basin and the jobs and economic development it could deliver for Queenslanders,” said State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham. “We’ve delivered on our election commitment to protect the Great Barrier Reef and the nationally-significant Caley Valley Wetlands.”
“We are putting dredged material on port land next to the existing terminal, and we are minimising impacts to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area by ruling out at-sea disposal,” he explained.
The Queensland Government will deliver a final EIS, which will include feedback from consultation, to the Commonwealth Government in early October. It’s then up to the Commonwealth Government, which has 40 business days to assess the EIS and deliver a final decision on the project.
“Work will only begin when environmental approvals have been received. We expect these works will create around 160 jobs for at peak construction,” Dr Lynham concluded.
Submissions are open until 5.00pm, 18 September 2015. The survey can be completed online.
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