April 2012:  The Australian Government has approved the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines for the proposed Fitzroy Terminal Project in Port Alma. The final Guidelines are now available.

Click here to view the final EIS Guidelines.

About the proposal

Fitzroy Terminal Project Pty Ltd proposes to develop and operate a coal export facility in Port Alma and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The construction phase of the project includes: construction of infrastructure including a rail loop, set down and stockpiling area; covered conveyor, berths and barges; and other components described in the EPBC Act referral EPBC 2011/6069.

As part of the operational phase of the project, coal will be loaded onto barges which will meet trans-shippers in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The trans-shippers will load the coal into waiting ships.

The project is a staged project with Stage One aiming to transport up to 10 million tonnes per annum of coal and Stage Two up to 22 million tonnes per annum. The project will potentially require dredging of Raglan Creek and disposal of dredged material. Future decommissioning is also proposed.

About the area

The proposed development is located about 50km south-east of Rockhampton at Port Alma and within the boundary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The project footprint is located partially within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the Great Barrier Reef National Heritage place, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Commonwealth) and Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park (Queensland). The proposed barge loading facility would be located on Raglan Creek within existing port limits and the transhippers would operate approximately six kilometres offshore.

The application requirements

The proposed Fitzroy Terminal Project was determined to be a controlled action by SEWPAC under the EPBC Act in September 2011 as it was recognised that the project could have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance.

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

On 31 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 SEWPAC on matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act.

Environmental Impact Statement assessment process

The Fitzroy Terminal Project will be required to prepare an 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, and the final EIS guidelines have been developed.

The proponent is now preparing the EIS and is consulting with stakeholders.

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.