MCU approved for power station works

Published Thursday, 14 March, 2013 at 02:12 PM

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

EnergyAustralia’s proposed Blackstone Power Station development near Ipswich is one step closer after the Coordinator-General approved a material change of use (MCU) application.

The approval covers a section of a gas transmission pipeline, sewer main and road works within the Bundamba to Swanbank State Development Area (BSSDA), held by the Coordinator-General and other parties.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said EnergyAustralia proposed to develop the 1500 megawatt gas-fired Blackstone Power Station in Swanbank-New Chum Enterprise Park, adjacent to the BSSDA, which would meet growing electricity demands from Queensland households and businesses.

“I welcome the Coordinator-General’s approval of the MCU application as an important step in the development and operation of the proposed power station,” Mr Seeney said.

“Apart from being a vital source of electricity, it is anticipated that the Blackstone Power Station project will initially inject up to $400 million into the economy, with a total of $1.8 billion by project completion.

“The construction of the gas transmission pipeline, sewer main and road works will create more than 150 jobs. 

“As well as facilitating the development of the Blackstone Power Station, these works will also service future development within the Swanbank-New Chum Enterprise Park.

“This is a good example of how our State Development Areas can facilitate local economic development.”

The MCU application covers:

  • 1.2 kilometres of a nine kilometre underground gas transmission pipeline which will source natural gas from the existing Roma to Brisbane Pipeline from a connection point at Redbank (the remaining 7.8 kilometres lies outside the BSSDA);
  • 1.2 kilometres of an underground sewer main; and
  • road works associated with the construction of the North-South Arterial and access to the adjacent Blackstone Power Station.
Mr Seeney said Ipswich City Council and other relevant referral agencies had been consulted prior to approval.

More information on State Development Areas can be found at: http://www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/coordinator-general/current-state-development-areas.html

[ENDS] 13 March 2013

Media Contact: Kate Haddan 0418 373 516