The Chronicle reported that plans for a AUD 1.12 billion coal mine near Taroom have taken a step forward after Cockatoo Coal was given the green light to prepare an environmental impact statement for its North Surat-Taroom coal project.
Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Mr Jeff Seeney said that 22 submissions had been received on the draft terms of reference for the impact statement. He said that "This project has the potential to create up to 1000 construction and 550 operation jobs, with further regional jobs from flow-on economic development.”
Mr Seeney said that "With the potential to operate for up to 20 years and export eight million tonnes of thermal coal a year, there's no doubt it will provide major economic benefits to Queensland. I welcome the Queensland Coordinator-General's approval of the final terms of reference for the EIS for the proposed coal project, which means we are one step closer to knowing if the project is fit to be approved."
Coordinator General Barry Broe would assess the project through an EIS to be prepared in accordance with the bilateral agreement between the State and the Commonwealth.
Mr Seeney said public consultation of the draft TOR raised a number of issues, which had been incorporated into the final TOR.
These include:
1. Cumulative impacts in the Surat Basin and Fitzroy Basin regions
2. Groundwater impacts and environmental consequences
3. Water related impacts on listed threatened species and communities and migratory species
4. Impacts of pre-construction workforce on community and housing availability
Mr Seeney said when the EIS was ultimately released in 2013-14 the community would again be able to have its say and provide submissions to the Coordinator-General.
Cockatoo Coal proposes to establish the North Surat-Taroom coal project, south of Taroom township, in partnership with MCH Surat Basin Investment Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Japan's Mitsui.
The project covers about 5800 hectares and in addition to mining infrastructure the proponent is seeking approval of a creek diversion, a rail spur to the proposed Surat Basin Railway and diversion of 9 kilometres of the Leichhardt Highway.
Source - The Chronicle
