Special status approved for new Abbot Point port

Federal environmental investigations will start soon on what Ms Bligh describes as an "industrial powerhouse capable of rivalling Gladstone".

“A major step towards new jobs and economic prosperity at Abbot Point is a shipping facility capable of handling different cargoes from large vessels,” she said.

"The North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation proposes to develop a new protected harbour on about 320 ha of reclaimed land which will be able to handle a number of different exports or shiploads of raw materials for mineral processing."

About 25m cubic metres of dredged material is to be used to create 12 berths, a tug harbour, a dredged access channel and swing basin and berth pockets.

The Queensland Coordinator-General, Colin Jensen, had declared the Abbot Point MCF project a significant project for which a state environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required.

Mr Jensen said a significant project declaration without an EIS was an alternative when other legislation was in place.

"Just like every other significant project, this project will require careful consideration of its potential impacts,” he added.

"However, I am satisfied the project can be stringently assessed as environmental and development approvals are sought under existing state laws.

"The Federal Government is also conducting a full EIS of its own.

“Commonwealth approval on matters of national environmental significance are required before any construction begins.

“There will be opportunities for public comment when the Federal Government begins its investigations in coming months."

The project also includes a 70-metre wide construction haul and port access road linking the harbour development to the Abbot Point State Development Area.

The proposed road would cross the Caley Valley Wetlands but will be located near an existing water pipeline to the Abbot Point Coal Terminal to reduce the impact on the surrounding area.

The MCF was expected to be developed in two stages.

Stage one will comprise:

• construction of a bunded reclamation area;

• dredging of an access channel, swing basin and berths;

• development of up to six berths;

• development of a tug harbour; and

• development of the transport access corridor.

Stage two will extend the bunded area and include another six berths.