Coordinator-General makes 100th decision

Queensland Coordinator-General Barry Broe will make his 100th statutory decision with the release of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the $6.1 billion Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail project in central Queensland.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said Mr Broe had made more decisions since his appointment in April than any Coordinator-General under the previous Government.

“Prior to the Coordinator-General’s appointment, the highest recorded number of CG decisions in one full year by the previous Government was 67,” Mr Seeney said.

“Mr Broe’s efficiency in delivering outcomes for Queensland is testament to the State Government’s determination to grow a four pillar economy focusing on tourism, agriculture, resources and construction.”

The public is being asked to have its say on the environmental impact assessment of the proposed Adani Mining Pty Ltd project in the Galilee Basin on Saturday 15 December.

Mr Seeney said the project, which would include the construction of a mine with supporting rail infrastructure, would be important to the future economic prosperity of the region and Queensland.

“Close to 8,500 jobs could potentially be created by this project – 5,200 jobs during the various construction phases and 3,290 jobs once operational,” he said.

“It is a lead project in the opening up of the hugely significant Galilee Basin, and with an estimated mine life of 90 years, these benefits will continue for generations to come.

“The proponent, Adani Mining Pty Ltd, proposes to produce up to 60 million tonnes of product coal per annum once at full production.

“This product coal will have a ready market and be used to supply a component of Adani’s own power generation needs in India – serving to largely insulate the mine from the ebb and flow of the coal market.”

Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail project will be located approximately 160 kilometres north-west of Clermont in central Queensland and will feature a combination open-cut and underground coal mining operation.

Coordinator-General Barry Broe said the sheer scale and complexity of the project meant a rigorous assessment process was required and the Federal Environment Minister would also play a role in the project’s approval.

The Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail project EIS will be available for public comment from Saturday 15 December 2012 until 5pm Monday 11 February 2013.

The EIS is available to view online at the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning website at www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/carmichaelcoal and will be on public display (subject to local opening hours) from Monday 17 December at:

Charters Towers Library, 130 Gill Street, Charters Towers
Clermont Library, Cnr Karmoo and Herschel Streets, Clermont
Moranbah Library, Grosvenor Complex, Batchelor Parade, Moranbah
National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra
State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank, Brisbane

All public submissions must be in writing and received by the Coordinator-General by 5pm on Monday 11 February 2013. An extended consultation period has been provided to allow for the holiday period.

Post: The Coordinator-General
C/- EIS Project Manager: Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail project
Coordinated Project Delivery
Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
PO Box 15517
City East QLD 4002

Fax: +61 7 3225 8282

Email: carmichael@coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 13 December 2012

Media Contact:  Kate Haddan – 0418 373 516