Have your say on South Galilee Coal Project

Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe has welcomed the release of the draft Terms of Reference (ToR) for the proposed $1.5 billion South Galilee coal project west of Rockhampton.

Mr Hinchliffe said the draft framework outlined the proposed scope of the State Government’s comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project. The draft ToR will be available for public comment until September 13.

“The release of the draft Terms of Reference follows the announcement of the proposal as a significant project on May 29,’’ Mr Hinchliffe said.

“It’s important to note that the announcement of the project as significant is not an approval or support, but the start of the comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement.

“The draft Terms of Reference provide the framework for the Environmental Impact Statement and residents and other interested parties are encouraged to have their say.’’

Under the proposal, AMCI (Alpha) and Bandanna Energy plan to establish a new coal mine on two of their exploration tenements near Alpha in the Galilee Basin, approximately 450km west of Rockhampton.

The joint venture partners have assessed the capital cost of the project at about $1.5 billion, excluding the relevant portion of rail and port capital.

“If it proceeds, the mine could potentially produce up to 20 million tonnes of thermal coal a year for the international market over the next 40 years,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“The construction phase of the project could employ up to 1500 workers and the ongoing operation of the mine could support 750 permanent jobs.

“Infrastructure for the open cut and underground mining operations would include a run of mine facility, coal handling and preparation plant, storage facilities, access and haul roads, a water pipeline, onsite raw water dams and an accommodation village.

“It would also include the construction of a rail spur to connect to the proposed common user rail and port infrastructure at Abbot Point.”

Deputy Coordinator-General Geoff Dickie said the scale, potential effects and complexity of approvals for the project required a rigorous EIS.

“The EIS will consider the potential environmental, cultural and socio-economic impacts on the local community,’’ Mr Dickie said.

“The declaration of a significant project is recognition of its complexity, the substantial benefits it may bring and the need to carefully assess its environmental and social impacts and how they could be mitigated if the project was approved to proceed.’’

The draft ToR are available at www.dip.qld.gov.au/projects. They will also be on public display at:

- Barcaldine Regional Council, Alpha Office

- Barcaldine Regional Council, Barcaldine Office

- Central Highlands Regional Council, Emerald Customer Service Centre

- State Library of Queensland, South Bank

All public submissions must be in writing and received by the Coordinator-General via post to PO Box 15009; by fax to 07 3225 8282 or by email to southgalileecoal@dip.qld.gov.au by 5pm on Monday, 13 September 2010.

Media contact: 3224 8750