Coordinator General approves new Bowen Basin mine

Published Wednesday, 02 July, 2014 at 04:02 PM

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

Hundreds of jobs could be created and local businesses boosted following the approval by Queensland’s independent Coordinator General of the $1.76 billion Byerwen Coal project, 140 kilometres west of Mackay.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the Coordinator General’s approval is subject to 122  conditions to responsibly manage the impacts of the project.

“At the election, we promised to grow the resources pillar of the Queensland economy to provide jobs and business opportunities for Queenslanders. Today’s approval shows that we have kept that promise,” Mr Seeney said.

“The Byerwen Coal project is expected to create up to 350 construction jobs for two years and up to 545 jobs when the mine is fully operational.

“The proponent, Byerwen Coal Pty Ltd, has committed to offering employment to locals from the nearby towns of Glenden, Nebo, Moranbah and Collinsville and from across the wider region.

“The project could also have flow-on benefits to nearby towns and businesses, creating even more local jobs.”

Mr Seeney said the Byerwen Coal project consists of an open-cut coal mine with the potential to supply up to 10 million tonnes of coking and thermal coal per annum primarily to Asian steel mills.

“The Coordinator General has set strict conditions to protect groundwater resources, surface water quality and fauna, as well as controls on air quality, dust and noise,” he said.

“The 333-page Coordinator General’s report sets out 122 conditions that the proponent must comply with during the construction, operation, decommissioning and mine closure phases. In addition, the proponent has itself made 447 commitments to manage impacts.”

The Coordinator General’s report will now go to the Commonwealth Environment minister for a decision on issues pertaining to the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act under the assessment bilateral agreement.

The full report will be available shortly at www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/byerwen

[ENDS] 2 July 2014

Media Contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Elizabeth Spry 0418 928 744