Members of the public can now provide feedback on a proposal to alter the state’s main shipping channel, which starts off the southern Sunshine Coast.
The public has been invited to share their views on the draft terms of reference (TOR) for the environmental impact statement (EIS) of the Port of Brisbane Channel Enhancement Project.
The initiative is expected to allow bigger ships to access the harbour and significantly bolster trade.
The state government’s Department of Development, Infrastructure and Planning issued a statement outlining the project.
“The proponent, Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd, proposes to enhance sections of the existing Port of Brisbane shipping channel, with an estimated investment value of over $3.5 billion over a 20- to 25-year period,” it stated.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
“The proposed project involves dredging approximately 96.5 million cubic metres of material to widen, deepen and realign the existing shipping channel to increase the safety and efficiency of the port.
“The project also involves the beneficial reuse and disposal of the dredged material.
“The Coordinator-General declared the project a ‘coordinated project’, triggering the requirement for an environmental impact statement.”
“The Australian Minister for the Environment and Water determined (on September 19) that the project is likely to have a significant impact upon matters of national environmental significance and will require approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act before it can proceed.
“The controlling provisions include Ramsar wetlands of international, listed threatened species and communities, listed migratory species and Commonwealth marine areas.”
The department invited people to have their say on the draft TOR, which “sets out the matters to be studied within the EIS”.
“You are invited to comment on whether the draft TOR covers all the matters Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd must address when preparing the EIS,” it stated.
The Port of Brisbane has previously told Sunshine Coast News of its plans to dredge sections of the 75km corridor.
It stated than an expansion of the channel was crucial.
“In the global shipping industry, the vessels required to facilitate trade are getting larger,” it said.
“If the Port of Brisbane cannot cater for these larger vessels, it would mean additional costs in the supply chain that would ultimately be passed onto consumers. There would also be increased emissions for freight ultimately destined for Brisbane that may need to be transported over land from other ports.”
The Initial Advice Statement, compiled by engineering service BMT for the PoB, stated dredging could start in 2028 and that one option was to move sediment to a site off the southern Sunshine Coast.
But there could be constraints with that site.
“(It) would be situated outside of the internal waters of the state; thus a Commonwealth Sea Dumping Permit would be required,” the statement read.
“The significant drawbacks of this site are that the placement of mud material would not be ‘like for like’ with the seabed, which is sand at this location, and likely short- to medium-term impacts on water quality.”
The location could also prove time-consuming for dredge vessels from Brisbane.
Meanwhile, the PoB said it was committed to the environment.
“We continue to operate with the highest regard for the sensitive marine ecosystems we operate in,” it said.
“The EIS for the project will be rigorous and thorough.
“The objective of the EIS is to identify all relevant environmental, social, heritage and economic impacts of the project and the proponent’s proposals to avoid, minimise, mitigate and/or offset those potential impacts.
“A community consultation plan will be developed as part of the EIS process.”
Comments on the draft TOR are invited until May 26. Comments cane be made here. See the draft TOR here.
