Statement: EIS released for North Galilee rail project

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Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney

EIS released for North Galilee rail project

Queensland's Coordinator General has approved the release of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the $2.2 billion North Galilee Basin Rail project and is now inviting public feedback.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said Adani Mining is proposing to construct a 300 kilometre rail line that will connect the proposed Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail project to the Abbot Point coal port.

"The Newman Government promised at the election to grow the resources pillar of the Queensland economy and deliver better infrastructure and planning," Mr Seeney said.

"The rigorous independent assessment processes undertaken by the Coordinator General ensure this growth occurs in an environmentally responsible manner and in consultation with the local community.

"We have made it clear that we want to develop the Galilee Basin's coal reserves but in a planned and orderly way as can be seen by the recent release of the Galilee Basin Development Strategy.

"If ultimately approved, this proposed rail project will have the ability to carry 100 million tonnes of coal per year, create up to 1,700 jobs during construction and almost 370 jobs once operational.

"Projects like this will help to supercharge the economy after years of Labor's economic mismanagement and neglect."

Coordinator General Barry Broe said the EIS process aims to ensure that the project's potential environmental, social and economic impacts are examined and addressed.

The Commonwealth Environment Minister has also determined that the project may have a significant impact upon matters of national environmental significance and will be conducting a separate assessment process.

The Queensland and Australian Governments have agreed to joint advertising of the EIS for the public's consideration to inform parallel assessment of the project.

The consultation period will begin on the 16 December 2013 and all submissions must be completed and delivered to the Coordinator-General's office by 5pm on 11 February 2014.

The North Galilee Basin Rail project EIS documents can be downloaded from: http://adanimining.com/Australia_Rail_Prj.aspx

A fact sheet explaining how to make a submission and the submission form are both available at www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/ngbr

Copies of the EIS are available to view at libraries in Bowen, Collinsville, Moranbah, Brisbane (State Library of Queensland) and Canberra (National Library of Australia).

[ENDS] 14 December 2013