Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche said the Australian Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland government had been consulted in the preparation of the impact assessment framework and schedule.
“This involves the commissioning of 15 independent studies to be conducted by scientific experts,” Roche said.
“The studies will then be incorporated into a cumulative impact report available for public comment before final submission to the Australian and Queensland governments.
“It will include a Great Barrier Reef-wide examination of shipping, looking at current and potential movements in consultation with ports, maritime safety organisations and the shipping industry.”
The information gathered from the Abbot Point study was expected to complement two strategic assessments recently announced by federal and state governments on future development in or near the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, Roche said.
“The level and extent of the coal industry’s commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area will be explained in detail to the UNESCO delegation visiting Queensland,” Roche said.
