Ministerial Statement: Public consultation opens for Yarwun Coal Terminal ...

[ozbob]

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney
21/05/2012

Public consultation opens for Yarwun Coal Terminal project

A proposed $2.2 billion coal terminal at Yarwun in the Port of Gladstone will be the subject of a rigorous environmental assessment after being declared a 'significant project' by the Queensland Coordinator-General today.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney today called for the public to comment on the project's draft terms of reference which would form the basis of its environmental impact statement (EIS).

Mr Seeney said, if approved, the proposed terminal, west of the proposed Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal within the Gladstone State Development Area, would provide significant benefits for residents in the region, and for the Queensland economy.

"This is the first time that a Coordinator-General has ever approved the release of a draft terms of reference at the time of the significant project declaration and is further evidence that we are getting on with the job of fast-tracking the impact assessment process and slashing green-tape," Mr Seeney said.

"As the demand for coal exports increases, so does the need for infrastructure to meet the growing rate of coal production in Queensland.

"The proposed terminal, to be delivered by Tenement to Terminal Limited (3TL), could export up to 50 million tonnes of coal per year, adding to Gladstone's planned coal terminal capacity, such as Wiggins Island, Stage 1 of which is now fully committed.

"The long-term success of Queensland's mining industry relies on the delivery of infrastructure to support international exports.

"If this project goes ahead, it will help facilitate the efficient transport and export of coal, hauling in more dollars for Queensland's economy."

3TL proposes to develop
• a 14-kilometre dual gauge rail line
• a balloon loop and coal unloading facilities
• a coal stockyard
• two new berths
• an out-loading wharf, jetty facilities and associated infrastructure.

Producers operating from the Bowen and Surat Basins, and potentially the southern Galilee Basin, may be given access to the terminal, if the project is approved.

Mr Seeney said the EIS process marked the beginning of a thorough assessment process which would look at the environmental, social, and economic impacts and benefits of the project.

"I encourage the community to participate in shaping the outcome of the EIS and provide input to the draft terms of reference," he said.

The draft terms of reference can be viewed on-line at www.projects.industry.qld.gov.au, or at the following locations from Monday 28 May to close of business on Monday 25 June 2012:

• Gladstone Regional Council, 101 Goondoon Street, Gladstone
• Gladstone Regional Library, 39 Goondoon Street, Gladstone
• Mount Larcom Library, Raglan Street, Mount Larcom
• National Library, Parkes Pl ace, Canberra
• State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank, Brisbane.

All public submissions should be made in writing and received by the Coordinator-General by 5pm on Monday 25 June 2012.

Post: The Coordinator-General
c/- EIS project manager - Yarwun Coal Terminal project
Significant Projects Coordination
Office of the Coordinator-General
PO Box 15517
City East QLD 4002

Email: YCT@coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 22 May 2012

[colinw]

• a 14-kilometre dual gauge rail line

Dual gauge, at Gladstone?

[somebody]

• a 14-kilometre dual gauge rail line

Dual gauge, at Gladstone?

I guess to connect with the Dawson Valley link.  Perhaps it will reach NSW one day.

[colinw]

That's the only plausible explanation, although I understand that the proposed Wandoan to Banana line will initially be 3'6" gauge (but laid using DG sleepers).