Published Friday, 12 January, 2007 at 06:00 PM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
COMMUNITY INVITED TO HAVE THEIR SAY ON WYARALONG DAM
****** EMBARGOED UNTIL SATURDAY 13 JANUARY ******
The Queensland Government today (Saturday) invited public comment on the draft Terms of Reference that will govern a comprehensive environmental assessment of the proposed Wyaralong Dam.
Acting Premier Anna Bligh said the dam was a critical part of the Queensland Government’s strategy to secure south-east Queensland’s long-term water needs.
“This is the community’s chance to have their say on this important water project,” she said.
“The release of the draft Terms of Reference gives community members with a strong interest in the project the chance to have input into shaping the issues that will be examined as part of the dam’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
“The public has until 26 February to make a submission on the draft Terms of Reference.
“The objective of the EIS is to ensure all potential environmental, social and economic impacts of the project are identified and assessed and that steps are outlined regarding mitigation of any potential adverse impacts.
“The draft Terms of Reference, which have been prepared by the Coordinator-General, can be viewed at www.coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au/eis from Saturday 13 January.
“The terms will examine the impact of the dam on water flows in the Logan catchment and assess the historic rainfall patterns of the catchment area.
“They also cover key issues including the potential impact of the dam on the Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetland, downstream of the dam, and its potential impact on vulnerable and migratory species.
“As is the case in all environmental assessments, the draft Terms of Reference will examine alternatives to the project as well as other dam locations and outline the reasons for selecting the preferred option.”
Submissions on the draft Terms of Reference will inform the final Terms of Reference which will govern the scope of technical studies to be undertaken on the proposed dam as part of the EIS.
Both the State and Federal Governments will review the EIS after the project was declared a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 on 13 December 2006.
Construction of the dam will not commence until approval has been granted from both State and Federal Governments.
Media contact: Steve Keating 3224 4379
The Queensland Government today (Saturday) invited public comment on the draft Terms of Reference that will govern a comprehensive environmental assessment of the proposed Wyaralong Dam.
Acting Premier Anna Bligh said the dam was a critical part of the Queensland Government’s strategy to secure south-east Queensland’s long-term water needs.
“This is the community’s chance to have their say on this important water project,” she said.
“The release of the draft Terms of Reference gives community members with a strong interest in the project the chance to have input into shaping the issues that will be examined as part of the dam’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
“The public has until 26 February to make a submission on the draft Terms of Reference.
“The objective of the EIS is to ensure all potential environmental, social and economic impacts of the project are identified and assessed and that steps are outlined regarding mitigation of any potential adverse impacts.
“The draft Terms of Reference, which have been prepared by the Coordinator-General, can be viewed at www.coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au/eis from Saturday 13 January.
“The terms will examine the impact of the dam on water flows in the Logan catchment and assess the historic rainfall patterns of the catchment area.
“They also cover key issues including the potential impact of the dam on the Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetland, downstream of the dam, and its potential impact on vulnerable and migratory species.
“As is the case in all environmental assessments, the draft Terms of Reference will examine alternatives to the project as well as other dam locations and outline the reasons for selecting the preferred option.”
Submissions on the draft Terms of Reference will inform the final Terms of Reference which will govern the scope of technical studies to be undertaken on the proposed dam as part of the EIS.
Both the State and Federal Governments will review the EIS after the project was declared a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 on 13 December 2006.
Construction of the dam will not commence until approval has been granted from both State and Federal Governments.
Media contact: Steve Keating 3224 4379