Water for Bowen Project Terms of Reference for an Environmental Impact Statement Under Part (4) of the Queensland State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 November 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE .............................................................................................................................. III ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................................................V PART A – INFORMATION AND ADVICE ON THE PREPARATION OF THE EIS.........................1 Project proponent............................................................................................................................. 1 Project description ........................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose of the Terms of Reference................................................................................................ 1 EIS guidelines ................................................................................................................................... 1 EIS objectives and key issues......................................................................................................... 2 Public consultation on Terms of Reference .................................................................................. 3 PART B - CONTENT OF THE EIS............................................................................................4 Executive summary.......................................................................................................................... 4 Glossary of terms ............................................................................................................................. 4 Table of contents.............................................................................................................................. 4 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................4 1.1 Project proponent................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Project description ................................................................................................................. 5 1.3 Project objectives and scope ................................................................................................ 5 1.4 The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process .......................................................... 5 1.4.1 Methodology of the EIS ............................................................................................ 5 1.4.2 Objectives of the EIS ................................................................................................ 5 1.4.3 Submissions ............................................................................................................. 6 1.5 Public consultation process.................................................................................................. 6 1.6 Project approvals.................................................................................................................... 6 1.6.1 Relevant legislation and policy requirements ........................................................... 6 1.6.2 Planning processes and standards .......................................................................... 6 1.7 Accredited process under the Bilateral Agreement with the Australian Government .... 7 2 PROJECT NEED AND ALTERNATIVES............................................................................9 2.1 Project justification................................................................................................................. 9 2.2 Alternatives to the project...................................................................................................... 9 3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT .................................................................................10 3.1 Ecological sustainable development.................................................................................. 10 3.2 Location ................................................................................................................................. 10 3.3 Construction.......................................................................................................................... 10 3.3.1 Structure of the channel and pipeline..................................................................... 10 3.3.2 Construction activities and infrastructure ............................................................... 11 3.4 Operations ............................................................................................................................. 12 3.5 Rehabilitation ........................................................................................................................ 12 3.6 Decommissioning................................................................................................................. 12 3.7 Associated infrastructure requirements ............................................................................ 12 3.7.1 Transport ................................................................................................................ 13 3.7.2 Energy .................................................................................................................... 13 3.7.3 Telecommunications............................................................................................... 13 3.7.4 Water Supply .......................................................................................................... 13 3.7.5 Sewerage................................................................................................................ 13 3.7.6 Stormwater ............................................................................................................. 13 3.7.7 Other infrastructure................................................................................................. 13 4 ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES AND MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTS ....................................13 4.1 Climate ................................................................................................................................... 14 4.2 Land........................................................................................................................................ 15 4.2.1 Land use and infrastructure.................................................................................... 15 4.2.2 Topography and geomorphology............................................................................ 16 Terms of Reference – Water for Bowen Page i Coordinator-General 4.2.3 Geology and soils ................................................................................................... 16 4.2.4 Land contamination ................................................................................................ 17 4.2.5 Visual amenity ........................................................................................................ 18 4.3 Nature conservation ............................................................................................................. 18 4.3.1 Description of environmental values ...................................................................... 18 4.3.2 Potential impacts and mitigation measures............................................................ 22 4.4 Water resources and water quality ..................................................................................... 23 4.4.1 Water resources - hydrology .................................................................................. 23 4.4.2 Water resources - Hydrogeology............................................................................ 24 4.4.3 Water quality........................................................................................................... 25 4.5 Coastal environment ............................................................................................................ 26 4.5.1 Description of environmental values ...................................................................... 26 4.5.2 Potential impacts and mitigation measures............................................................ 27 4.6 Air environment .................................................................................................................... 27 4.6.1 Description of environmental values ...................................................................... 27 4.6.2 Potential impacts and mitigation measures............................................................ 27 4.7 Waste...................................................................................................................................... 28 4.7.1 Waste generation ................................................................................................... 28 4.7.2 Waste management ............................................................................................... 29 4.8 Noise and vibration............................................................................................................... 29 4.8.1 Description of environmental values ...................................................................... 29 4.8.2 Potential impacts and mitigation measures............................................................ 30 4.9 Transport and access