QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT RELEASES EIS FOR PROPOSED AMMONIUM NITRATE PROJECT IN CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

Deputy Premier Anna Bligh said the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Dyno Nobel’s proposed $500 million Moranbah Ammonium Nitrate Project was now available for public comment.

The Moranbah plant would produce up to 350 000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate annually to service the rapidly expanding demand for explosives from mining throughout Queensland and New South Wales.

“Early investigations indicate that this project has the potential to provide important value-adding to the coal seam gas reserves in the Moranbah region,” Ms Bligh said.

“Importantly it will generate jobs for 400 people during peak construction and 90 people when operational.”

“By viewing the EIS the public will have the opportunity to better understand the project, where it will be located, what impacts it might have on the environment, and what Dyno Nobel plan to do to mitigate any impacts.

“We encourage the public to make their submissions on the EIS to The Coordinator-General before the due date of 7 November 2006.”

The EIS can be viewed at www.coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au/eis and www.dynonobel.com. It can also be inspected during business hours from Wednesday, 11 October 2006 at the Belyando Shire Council Office.

Dyno Nobel was required under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971, to undertake an EIS, based on terms of reference provided by The Coordinator-General.

Media inquiries: Deputy Premier’s Office – 3224 4379