CENTRAL QUEENSLAND GAS PIPELINE: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT RELEASED FOR COMMENT

Acting Premier Anna Bligh said an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a $220 million project that could create jobs for 300 people during its construction and many more direct and indirect jobs when operational, was now available for public comment.

“The Coordinator-General is calling for public comment into the EIS for the Central Queensland gas pipeline project by 20 November 2006,” Ms Bligh said.

“This is part of the process that Enertrade, a corporation owned by the Queensland Government, is in the midst of as it investigates a pipeline to deliver coal seam gas from coal fields in the Moranbah region to Gladstone.

“The pipeline was declared a significant project by The Coordinator-General on 16 December 2004 and an EIS is part of the regulatory requirements for these type of projects.

Member for Fitzroy Jim Pearce said that the EIS provided the public with information about the project, the proposed route for the pipeline, its potential impact on the environment and how Enertrade proposes to address any impacts.

“The gas pipeline would connect with the Queensland gas pipeline network, helping provide an alternative and competitive source of energy supply to Gladstone-based industries.

“The pipeline would also connect Townsville to the gas pipeline network in Central and South East Queensland.

Mr Pearce said that the government was encouraging the public to make submissions on the EIS to the Coordinator-General by the due date.

The Coordinator-General will report on the project to assist the Queensland Government to assess the environmental suitability of this project and Enertrade will further assess the project’s viability prior to making a commercial investment decision.

The EIS will be available for viewing at the State Development Centres at Rockhampton and Gladstone, offices of the Belyando, Broadsound, Duaringa, Fitzroy and Calliope Shire Councils and the Gladstone City Council.

To ensure as many people as possible have access to this important document, the text of the EIS can be downloaded from The Coordinator-General’s website at www.coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au/eis.

Copies are also available from Enertrade, GPO Box 10, Brisbane 4001, or by telephoning 07 3331 9954. The cost is $150 for a hard copy or no cost for a CD-Rom.

Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 4379