Notional Seaway Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement

• Background
• Environmental Impact Statement
• GHD’s approach to the EIS
• Community consultation
• Information Days
• Newsletters
• Fact sheets
• Project team contact details

Background

GHD has been appointed by The Coordinator-General to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Notional Seaway Project at The Spit (Gold Coast).

The Notional Seaway Project is part of the overall Gold Coast Marine Developments described in the Initial Advice Statement for the project. The EIS investigations will consider the cruise ship terminal and a marina in the Marine Stadium.

To assist in the EIS investigations, a preliminary design concept has been prepared for the Notional Seaway Project. This preliminary design concept will be outlined at the first information day for the EIS.

The Government has defined the Notional Seaway Project so that it may receive independent professional advice on the environmental aspects (including social, cultural and economic) of this element of the wider Gold Coast Marine Development. The findings of the investigation will inform future Government decision making.

The Government has established the Gold Coast Marine Development Project Board to act as proponent for the project. On the advice of the Board, the Government has appointed GHD Pty Ltd to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Notional Seaway Project with a cruise terminal at the northern end of The Spit and a marina in the Marine Stadium.

The Coordinator General developed a draft Terms of Reference for the Project in late 2005, which were finalised after consultation with the community and stakeholders in January 2006.

The scope of the technical studies for the EIS is based on the final Terms of Reference.

• View the final Terms of Reference (434KB pdf)

The GHD team will be seeking community input during the EIS process and will undertake a detailed community consultation program commencing in April 2006.

Environmental Impact Statement

The purpose of the EIS is to identify potential environmental effects and to propose actions to eliminate or mitigate those which will impact adversely on the natural, social, cultural or economic environment.

• View the Notional Seaway Project - Concept Design (7160KB pdf)

GHD will follow the EIS process as specified in the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 and meet Commonwealth regulations as specified in the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The EIS shall provide:

• A description of the relevant aspects of the existing social, economic, natural and built environment
• A description of the development proposal and means of achieving the development objectives
• Definition and analysis of the likely impact of the development on the environment
• A framework against which Government decision-makers can consider the environmental aspects of the proposal and set conditions for approval to enable environmentally sound development
• A definition of all significant impacts and a consolidated list of measures proposed to mitigate adverse effects
• Recommendations on the need for and contents of any environmental management plans and/or operational plans to mitigate adverse effects

The objectives of the EIS (as set out in the final Terms of Reference) are:

• To provide information on the proposal and development process to the community and decision-makers
• To comprehensively identify and evaluate all relevant issues associated with the proposal
• To identify all potential environmental, cultural, social, transport and land use planning impacts of the preferred concept, and recommend infrastructure and facilities needs together with other design and operational measures required to minimise or compensate for adverse impacts and enhanced benefits
• To consult with the community and relevant stakeholders in the process of identifying, assessing and responding to the impacts of the proposal
• To identify all necessary licenses, planning and environmental approvals including approval requirements pursuant to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995, Integrated Planning Act 1997, Environmental Protection Act 1994, Fisheries Act 1994, Nature Conservation Act 1992, Vegetation Management Act 1999 and other legislation and the Gold Coast Planning Scheme
• To provide an input to the decision-making process, assisting with the determination of whether to refuse, accept or modify the proposal, approve it with conditions or carry out further studies
• Pursuant to the foregoing, to provide a copy to each of the shortlisted bidders to enable them to incorporate such provisions as may be applicable to them in their respective submissions

GHD’s approach to the EIS

GHD will undertake the EIS in the following manner:

Community consultation

GHD will undertake a detailed community consultation program including information days, stakeholder meetings and a series community updates.

The information days will provide opportunities for community members to meet with the project team, ask questions and provide comments about the EIS. Details of the information days will be advertised in local papers and will be posted on this website two weeks prior to the scheduled event.

Information days

Information Day 3 will occur at the end of July. Further details will be available closer to the event.

If you would like to find out more about the EIS and/or provide comments please come along to the information days or contact the project team.

Newsletters

• View Newsletter number 1 (544KB pdf)
• View Newsletter number 2 (532KB pdf)

Fact sheets

• Fact sheet – Marine Sediment (248KB pdf)
• Fact sheet – Obs Mapping (205KB pdf)
• Fact sheet – Seagrass (237KB pdf)
• Fact sheet – Community Feedback (274KB pdf)

Project team contact details

Tel:	1800 097 481 (free call)
Email:	notionalseawayproject@ghd.com.au
Free post:	Send written submissions to: Notional Seaway EIS Project Team Reply Paid 668 Brisbane QLD 4001