The Department of Environment and Science (DES) today published an Assessment Report that recommends that the Central Queensland Coal Project poses a number of unacceptable risks and is not suitable to proceed.
After thoroughly analysing the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project, this report from DES outlines the potential environmental, economic and social impacts it may have.
In preparing the report, DES considered public submissions and advice from relevant agencies, including the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and the Independent Expert Scientific Committee.
The project poses a number of unacceptable risks primarily due to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area, the Broad Sound Fish Habitat Area, Tooloombah Creek, Deep Creek, the Styx River Estuary, and nearby groundwater ecosystems.
The Assessment Report recommendation is not the final decision for the project.
The final decision for approval for Commonwealth matters such as the Great Barrier Reef now rests with Commonwealth Minister for the Environment.
