Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 13 March 2012:

With reference to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) notice to extend the EPBC assessment time of the Abbot Point Multi Cargo Facility (EPBC ref. 2009/4837):

(1) What further information has been requested of the proponents relating to the direct, consequential and cumulative impacts of the proposal.

(2) What is involved in the 'cumulative coordinated impact assessment studies' currently being undertaken by the proponent.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The outcomes of the cumulative impact assessment work being jointly undertaken by a set of proponents at Abbot Point has been requested.

(2) The industry proponents at Abbot Point and the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Limited are working together on a coordinated, cumulative impact assessment, focussed on the combined impacts of proposals at Abbot Point, and within the context of other developments adjoining the Great Barrier Reef. A number of studies are being undertaken as part of this process, including coordinated studies on the potential impacts of habitat loss, lighting, visual amenity, and shipping arising from the Abbot Point proposals.