Draft terms of reference released for central Queensland coal projects
Published Friday, 20 April, 2012 at 02:20 PM
Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney
Central Queenslanders are invited to have their say on the draft terms of reference for two proposed thermal coal mines in Banana Shire and Western Downs.
Cockatoo Coal Ltd is seeking approval to establish the Taroom coal project three kilometres south-east of the town of Taroom, and the Collingwood coal project 12 kilometres north-east of Wandoan.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the Coordinator-General would accept public submissions on each draft terms of reference for an EIS until Monday 28 May 2012.
“These projects have the potential to operate for up to 20 years and could export 13 million tonnes of thermal coal a year,” Mr Seeney said.
“If approved, they would be important coal exporters through the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal in the Port of Gladstone.
“Taken together, these projects are expected to attract capital investment of approximately $1.8 billion, generate up to 1000 construction jobs and employ 950 operational workers, with further regional jobs from flow-on economic development.”
Mr Seeney said that, if given approval, Cockatoo proposed to jointly progress construction, workforce and ongoing management of social and other programs for the Taroom and Collingwood mines.
The Taroom coal project covers 6500 hectares and in addition to mining infrastructure, Cockatoo Coal is seeking evaluation of a creek diversion, a rail line to the proposed Surat Basin Railway, diversion of 9 kilometres of the Leichardt Highway and a 52-kilometre electricity transmission line.
The Collingwood coal project covers over 6000 hectares near the proposed Surat Basin Railway. It includes plans for a seven-kilometre railway line to the proposed Surat Basin Railway and a 16-kilometre electricity transmission line.
Coordinator-General Barry Broe said the draft terms of reference would provide the framework for each project’s EIS.
“This means that community feedback on the draft documents is very important and I would encourage all interested parties to have their say,” Mr Broe said.
The draft terms of reference for each project are available from 28 April 2012 from www.deedi.qld.gov.au/cg/coordinator-general-projects.html
-ENDS-
Media contact: Kate Haddan – 0437 334 769
Cockatoo Coal Ltd is seeking approval to establish the Taroom coal project three kilometres south-east of the town of Taroom, and the Collingwood coal project 12 kilometres north-east of Wandoan.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the Coordinator-General would accept public submissions on each draft terms of reference for an EIS until Monday 28 May 2012.
“These projects have the potential to operate for up to 20 years and could export 13 million tonnes of thermal coal a year,” Mr Seeney said.
“If approved, they would be important coal exporters through the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal in the Port of Gladstone.
“Taken together, these projects are expected to attract capital investment of approximately $1.8 billion, generate up to 1000 construction jobs and employ 950 operational workers, with further regional jobs from flow-on economic development.”
Mr Seeney said that, if given approval, Cockatoo proposed to jointly progress construction, workforce and ongoing management of social and other programs for the Taroom and Collingwood mines.
The Taroom coal project covers 6500 hectares and in addition to mining infrastructure, Cockatoo Coal is seeking evaluation of a creek diversion, a rail line to the proposed Surat Basin Railway, diversion of 9 kilometres of the Leichardt Highway and a 52-kilometre electricity transmission line.
The Collingwood coal project covers over 6000 hectares near the proposed Surat Basin Railway. It includes plans for a seven-kilometre railway line to the proposed Surat Basin Railway and a 16-kilometre electricity transmission line.
Coordinator-General Barry Broe said the draft terms of reference would provide the framework for each project’s EIS.
“This means that community feedback on the draft documents is very important and I would encourage all interested parties to have their say,” Mr Broe said.
The draft terms of reference for each project are available from 28 April 2012 from www.deedi.qld.gov.au/cg/coordinator-general-projects.html
-ENDS-
Media contact: Kate Haddan – 0437 334 769