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LNG invasion of Curtis Island
Main Conditions attached to EIS Approvals
Main Conditions attached to EIS Approvals
Summary of Key conditions for the Gladstone Harbour Dredging Project (Western Basin Strategic Dredging & Disposal Project):
(a) Western Basin Reclamation Area is to be no greater than 300 ha and not to exceed 27m in height
(b) max. 25 million cubic metres (in situ) from stages 1A & 1B
(c) East Banks offshore disposal - max. 11 million cubic metres (in situ)
(d) max 21 million cubic metres (in situ) for stages 2, 3,4
(e) Bund wall conditions specifically relate to leaching, decant water and storm water runoff
(f) NO REHANDLING OF DREDGE SPOIL (also applies to LNG proponents)
(g) only 1 Trailer Suction Hopper Dredge (TSHD) plant to operate at any given time in the Harbour (also applies to LNG proponents)
(h) max. 2 cutter section dredges to operate in conjunction with TSHD (also applies to LNG proponents)
(i) TSHD can only operate in 'overflow' mode for 30 minutes per cycle and that is only at certain tidal times (ebb etc) (also applies to LNG proponents)
(j) develop a TECHNICAL REFERENCE PANEL for duration of project to oversee Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQMP). Members to include regulators and independent scientific experts (1 expert each for seagrass, benthic habitat research, dredging matters). Panel to report to Federal Minister.
(k) WQMP - primary objective to protect sensitive ecosystems - establish baseline data, trigger levels, monitoring locations, plume modelling etc. To begin 6 months prior to dredging. Must comply with NWQMS Australian Guidelines.
(l) WQMP - FINDINGS/DATA MUST BE PUBLICALLY AVAILABLE
(m) (25) PT. CURTIS & PT. ALMA ECOSYSTEM RESEARCH & MONITORING PROGRAM - GPC to establish, manage and fund a RESEARCH ADVISORY PANEL. Members to include independent scientific experts including 1 expert each for inshore dolphins, marine reptiles, migratory shorebirds, tropical marine ecology. Panel to report to Federal Minister. This program is to develop an EMP within 6 months, and will run for at least 10 years and COMMIT AT LEAST $5 MILLION. The Panel will also look at The Narrows to determine ecosystem significance.
(n) (38) OFFSETS- not less than $5 MILLION on habitat enhancement/restoration in the region or wider bioregion (eg. wetland rehabilitation, water quality programs, seagrass- friendly mooring systems).
(o) GPC TO SET ASIDE 3000ha at PT. ALMA as 'ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION LAND'
(p) Establish a Seagrass Conservation Plan within 12 months.
Summary of Key conditions for Santos and BG LNG Projects:
(a) Ensure no entry into Curtis Island Environmental Management Precinct by an LNG personnel while on shift or accommodated on island
(b) Ensure no animals, private vehicles or boats within 100 m of site boundaries
(c) Report injury/death of any EPBC-listed threatened/migratory species caused by dredging activities within 1 working day to Federal Minister
(d) Report any exceedance of Water Quality Management triggers from dredging activities within 1 working day to Federal Minister
(e) Establish Water Mouse EMP
(f) Establish Migratory Shorebirds EMP (incl. Whimbrel and Terek Sandpiper)
(g) ESTABLISH LONG-TERM MARINE TURTLE MANAGEMENT PLAN and contribute $150,000 of initial funds EACH. Participate with GPC and other port users for 10 years.
(h) BG OFFSETS - 1,375 HA (5:1 ratio) and 'USE BEST ENDEAVOURS' TO SECURE IT AS NATIONAL PARK.
(i) BG TO CONTRIBUTE $200,000 per annum FOR LIFE OF PROJECT and ADDITIONAL $100,000 per annum FOR EACH OPERATING TRAIN TO IMPLEMENT OFFSET STRATEGY/MANAGEMENT COSTS - THIS AREA MUST BE LOCATED IN GBRWHA PREFERABLY ON CURTIS ISLAND.
(j) SANTOS OFFSETS - 1,200 HA (5:1 ratio) and must 'ENDEAVOUR TO SECURE NATIONAL PARK STATUS', or at minimum a secure land tenure.
(k) SANTOS TO CONTRIBUTE $200,000 p.a. FOR LIFE OF PROJECT and ADDITIONAL $100,000 per annum FOR EACH OPERATING TRAIN to cover INDIRECT OFFSETS. THIS MONEY TO GO TO THE QLD & AUSTRALIAN JOINT PROGRAM OF FIELD MANAGEMENT OF THE GBRWHA FOR EXPENDITURE IN THE MACKAY/CAPRICORN SECTIONS.
(l) There is room for some conditions to be managed jointly with GPC or other LNG proponents. Conditions make it quite plain that monetary fund requirements for offsets are per proponent, not industry as a whole.
Full conditions can be seen at http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/notices/gladstone.html
See our media release 22 Oct 2010 >>
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