May  2012: Draft guidelines for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed coal export terminal expansion at Dudgeon Point have been prepared. The period of public consultation on the draft EIS guidelines has closed and public comments are being incorporated into the final EIS guidelines.

View the proposed EIS guidelines.

About the proposal

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation proposes to expand its coal export terminals at Dudgeon Point, South of Mackay. This project will expand the coal export capacity of the Port of Hay Point from the current approved capacity of 140 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) up to 320 Mtpa maximum.

The components of the proposed development include:

• Two new coal export terminals located at Dudgeon Point, with a combined capacity of up to 180 Mtpa
• Six rail loops and train unloading facilities
• Offshore wharf facilities for up to eight ship berths - the offshore wharves will be connected to shore via two separate jetty structures
• Expanded tug facilities in the port to accommodate up to an additional 10 tug and service berths and additional line boats and service craft
• Barge facilities to be used in the construction of the terminals and offshore facilities
• Facilities will include a barge ramp for import of modules by sea, two barge wharves to load barges, and potentially a heavy lift ship berth
• Creation of ship berth pockets and a departure apron to service the new berths. Work will be carried out by dredging. The volume of dredged material is estimated to be up to 13 million cubic metres
• Land for lay down areas and support industries
• A rail connection to the Goonyella rail system - this will include a rail overpass over Hay Point Road
• A new access road situated adjacent to the proposed railway corridor linking the project site to Hay Point Road
  
• Use of the existing dredge material relocation area servicing the port, or an alternative onshore or offshore site (depending on the outcomes of environmental investigations).

About the area

The proposed action is located in the Port of Hay Point, which is a major Australian bulk port approximately 38 km by road to the south of Mackay on the Central Queensland coast. The project site is located approximately 4 km to the north west of the two existing coal terminals in the Port.

The Port is within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA), which extends to the mean low water tide level at this location and the port limits overlap with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Marine Park).

The application requirements

The proposed Dudgeon Point Coal Terminal Project was determined to be a controlled action by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) on 7 February 2012, as it was recognised that the project could have a significant impact on a number of matters of national environmental significance.

View the full referral application, decision and assessment approach documents.

On 27 October 2011, the Coordinator-General declared the project to be a ‘significant project’ under section 26(1)(a) of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (Qld) which requires the proponent to prepare an EIS for the project.

View Queensland's Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation decision and assessment approach documents.

Application for a Marine Parks Permission

The proposed action will require a permit under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, as components of the development are proposed to be located in the Marine Park. Therefore, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) will assess the application, in accordance with the following legislation:

• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 1983
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003

The GBRMPA will also provide advice to DSEWPaC on matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act.

Environmental Impact Statement assessment process

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation will be required to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which describes the potential impact that the project could have on the environment.

The period of public consultation on the draft guidelines for the preparation of the EIS for this project has closed. Public comments are currently being incorporated into the final EIS guidelines.

View the draft EIS guidelines.

GBRMPA assessment

Any activity that may impact the Marine Park, will be assessed by the GBRMPA.

Consideration of the application will be in accordance with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 1983, noting:

• Mandatory considerations (Regulation 88Q): which includes amongst others the impact of the proposed action on the environment, social, cultural and heritage values of the Marine Park, written comments received about the application in response to the public advertisement, and other matters relevant to the orderly and proper management of the Marine Park.
• Discretionary considerations (Regulation 88R): which includes the impact the proposed action will have on the public appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of the Marine Park, the cumulative impacts (if any) of the proposed action.

The GBRMPA will consider the impacts of the proposal on all aspects of the Marine Park, including matters raised in public submissions.

GBRMPA policies

The proposal will be assessed in accordance with the GBRMPA policies and management approaches including:

• Environmental Impact Management Policy
• Structures Policy
• Dredging and Spoil Disposal Policy
• Environmental Assessment and Management- Risk Matrix Framework 2009