Call for comment on Bowen Basin coal project

The community is encouraged to have its say on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed $1.76 billion Byerwen Coal Mine, in the Northern Bowen Basin 140 kilometres west of Mackay.

The Queensland Coordinator-General approved the release of Byerwen Coal’s EIS, a joint venture between QCoal and JFE Steel, for public comment until 23 July 2013.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the release of the EIS was another important step in the rigorous assessment of the proposed open-cut coal mine project 45 kilometres south of Collinsville.

“If approved, the project could provide a huge boost to one of Queensland’s four economic pillars – resources – and create up to 350 construction jobs and up to 545 jobs when the southern and northern mine pits are operational,” Mr Seeney said.

“It also has the potential to deliver up to 10 million tonnes per annum of product coal for export primarily to Asian steel mills over a 50-year project life.”

The project includes:

• four mining zones with eight open-cut pits using draglines, excavators, trucks and dozers
• two coal handling and preparation plants and associated mine infrastructure areas
• two train-loading facilities, including rail loop and spur lines connecting to the existing Abbot Point Rail line
• on-site coal haul roads and conveyor belts, a sewage treatment plant, powerlines and dams

Mr Seeney said the key potential impacts and mitigation measures addressed in the EIS included land clearance and offset strategies, the release of mine water and impacts on the Suttor River.

He said the Byerwen Coal Mine project was being assessed under the bilateral agreement between the state and federal governments.

The EIS, and advice on how to make a submission, can be viewed online via www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/byerwen or in hard copy at:

• Bowen Library, Herbert Street, Bowen
• ­Glenden Library, Shopping Centre, Glenden
• ­Moranbah Library, Grosvenor Complex, Town Square, Moranbah
• ­­State Library of Queensland, Stanley Place, South Bank, Brisbane
• National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra, ACT

Submissions can be made from 8 June until 23 July 2013.

[ENDS] 7 June 2013

Media Contact: Kate Haddan 0418 373 516