Planning for growth in the Central Queensland coal industry reached another
milestone with the release of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the
proposed Connors River Dam.
SunWater plans to build the 374,000 megalitres (ML) capacity dam to service
coal mines and associated communities around Moranbah, north-west of
Rockhampton.
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe invited the
community and stakeholders to have their say following the Coordinator-General’s
release of the EIS for public comment.
“The EIS is a comprehensive assessment which addresses the terms of reference
provided to SunWater by the department, and examines the potential effects of
the proposal’s construction and operation on the natural environment, social
values and the economy,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“It also looks at the potential impacts upon the local community and
infrastructure of the surrounding area.
“The feedback will be considered by the Coordinator-General when he further
assesses the proposal.
“SunWater has advised the capital cost of the project may exceed $820
million, with more than $310 million associated with the dam and almost $510
million for the pipeline.
“If approved, it’s expected the project will create 570 construction jobs and
six to eight ongoing operational positions.
“Rapid recent and planned growth in
the coal mining industry has created increased demand for water in this
Isaac Connors sub-region.”
Coordinator-General Colin Jensen said the proposed dam would be situated
110km due east of Moranbah and 70km south of Sarina. It will inundate an area of
approximately 5850ha of largely cleared grazing land.
“The proponent proposes to transfer approximately 49,500 ML of water per
annum from the dam via a 133km pipeline as far as Moranbah, to service coal
mines and associated communities in central Queensland,” Mr Jensen said.
“Water may also be released downstream for purchase and use by irrigators (up
to 5000 ML per annum) and the project would provide sufficient water to ensure
necessary environmental flows down the river.”
The EIS can be viewed online at www.dip.qld.gov.au/projects or at
www.sunwater.com.au. All submissions
must be in writing and received by the Coordinator-General by 5pm Monday, 22
March 2010.
