The Range project
Stanmore Coal Limited (as 100 per cent owner of Comet Coal and Coke Pty Ltd) proposes to develop an open cut coal mine located 25 km south-east of Wandoan, covering 5226ha. The proponent has a granted exploration permit for coal (EPC 112) over the project area and has applied for mining leases (MLAs) 55001, 55009 and 55010. Thermal coal would be extracted at a rate of up to 6.3 million tonnes per annum (run-of-mine coal) with a total of 157 million tonnes to be extracted over a 26-year mine life. The project would also include a coal handling and preparation plant, a 26 km transport corridor, a train loading facility and associated power and water infrastructure.
On 23 November 2010, an application was made by the proponent under Section 154 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) for an environmental authority. Under Section 162 of the EP Act it was determined that assessment of The Range Project would be by EIS.
On 4 April 2011, the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities determined the proposed project to be a controlled action under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The controlling provisions are Sections 18 and 18A (listed threatened species and communities) and 20 and 20A (listed migratory species). The assessment of the project has been completed under the Bilateral Agreement.
The process for the assessment of this project was as follows:
- Submission of draft TOR
- Public notification of draft TOR
- Final TOR issued—EIS in preparation
- Public notification of EIS
- Proponent responds to submissions
- EIS assessment report
The EIS Assessment Report was issued to Stanmore Coal Limited on 3 April 2013 in accordance with Section 60 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994. The EIS process under Chapter 3 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 is now completed.
Copies of publicly available documents can be obtained by accessing the links below:
For further information about the EIS process for The Range Project please contact the EIS coordinator or email eis@des.qld.gov.au. Information on the Commonwealth EPBC Act process is also available.