Australia: Gold Coast Marine Precinct EIS Approved

Queensland’s Coordinator General has approved the proposed $390 million Gold Coast International Marine Precinct project on the Coomera River, subject to the proponent meeting a number of stringent environmental and operational conditions.

The proposal by Harbour Island Pty Ltd is to develop a 63.5 hectare site adjacent to the existing Gold Coast Marine Precinct in order to build a recreational power boat and yacht manufacturing and maintenance facility.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said, should the project proceed, it had the potential to create 4300 construction and 4800 operational jobs.

“The release of the Coordinator General’s evaluation report on the marine precinct’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) represents another step in the assessment process for the potential $390 million project,” Mr Seeney said.

“The proposed precinct includes a 29 hectare marine manufacturing facility with a 264 berth external marina and 110 berth internal marina and ship-lifting facility.

“A dry stack storage facility will provide space to store a further 290 vessels.

“Should it go ahead, the new precinct will be good news for the Gold Coast economy and good news for workers wanting to upskill in a local export industry.

“The Coordinator General’s evaluation report on the project’s EIS provides a clear pathway ahead for the developer to consider taking their next step.”

The Coordinator General’s report prescribed environmental conditions requiring that the proponent must:

– not adversely impact on water quality and coastal values;

– not adversely impact on marine or land-based plants and animals;

– conduct water quality monitoring for at least 18 months prior to construction, during construction and operations;

– appropriately manage potential acid sulphate soils encountered during construction;

– use dredge material for construction or dispose of it on land at an approved facility;

– appropriately manage overland flow paths on the site to avoid or minimise alterations on other properties.

The Coordinator General made the decision to approve the marine precinct’s EIS after his office and other state agencies had evaluated additional information requested from Harbour Island Pty Ltd following the release for comment of its EIS in October 2012.

[mappress]

Press Release, December 19, 2013