And in todays news after some rumours that coal port development was off the radar for Keppel Bay Michael Roche, Queensland Resource Council Chief Executive has clarified his comments in yesterdays media and confirmed that the Mitchell Groups Fitzroy Terminal Project is still on for Keppel Bay and the Fitzroy Delta. Contrary to popular belief the draft Queensland Port Strategy has not excluded coal port developments such as the proposed barge-to-ship coal loading in the open waters of Keppel Bay, despite the governements assurance that port development will be restricted to mayor port areas called Priority Port Development Areas (PPDA) MEDIA RELEASE in CAPRICORN COAST MIRROR Fitzroy project not restricted: Moratorium won’t apply at Port Alma Pam McKay [email protected] THE moratorium on port development does not extend to Mitchell Ports’ Fitzroy Terminal Project at Port Alma. The draft Queensland Ports Strategy restricts significant port development within and adjoining the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area to existing port limits for the next 10 years. Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche said in Rockhampton this week that that meant port development at Keppel Bay was “off the agenda”. But he expanded on those comments in a letter to the editor yesterday, indicating that the policy would not impact pre-existing rights and processes. “This policy sidelines a deep water coal export terminal at Balaclava Island, which coal company proponent Glencore has shelved,” he wrote. “However, readers should be aware that a moratorium does not extend to the Fitzroy Terminal Project at Port Alma, which proposes loading coal on to barges for transhipment to bulk carriers offshore.” Mr Roche said that in July 2013, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority approved final environmental impact statement (EIS) guidelines for the Fitzroy terminal proposal and the developer was currently preparing this document. The $1.2 billion terminal project would have the capacity to export up to 22 million tonnes of coal a year. In an address to the Rockhampton Regional Council last month, Mitchell Ports’ executive director Ben King said the innovative barging and transhipping model would minimise dredging and avoid large infrastructure being built into the coastline. KEY ACTIONS The key actions of the draft Queensland Ports Strategy are: ■ Establishment of Priority Port Development Areas (PPDAs). ■ Prohibition of dredging for the development of new, or the expansion of existing port facilities outside of PPDAs for the next 10 years. ■ Guidance for leading practice master planning for Queensland ports. The final APS will be released in mid-2014.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 05:47:59 +0000