Draft terms of reference for environmental impact statement
Port of Brisbane Channel Enhancement project
The proponent, Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd, proposes to enhance sections of the existing Port of Brisbane shipping channel, with an estimated investment value of over $3.5 billion over a 20 to 25 year period. The project involves dredging approximately 96.5 million cubic metres of material to widen, deepen, and realign the existing shipping channel to increase the safety and efficiency of the port. The project also involves the beneficial reuse and disposal of the dredged material.
The Coordinator-General declared the project a ‘coordinated project’ under section 26(1)(a) of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act), triggering the requirement for an environmental impact statement (EIS). The draft terms of reference (TOR) for the EIS have been prepared by the Coordinator-General. You are invited to comment on whether the draft TOR covers all the matters Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd must address when preparing the EIS. The Coordinator-General will consider all comments before finalising the TOR.
On 19 September 2024, the Australian Minister for the Environment and Water determined that the project is likely to have a significant impact upon matters of national environmental significance and will require approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC 2024/09919) before it can proceed. The controlling provisions include Ramsar wetlands of international importance (sections 16 and 17B), listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 and 18A), listed migratory species (sections 20 and 20A) and Commonwealth marine areas (sections 23 and 24A). The project will be assessed by accredited assessment under the SDPWO Act. The Coordinator-General’s EIS evaluation report will be provided to the Australian Minister for a separate decision under the EPBC Act.
How to comment:
Comments on the draft TOR are invited from Monday 28 April 2025 to Monday 26 May 2025. For information about providing comments to the Coordinator-General, refer to the fact sheet Have your say on draft terms of reference for an environmental impact statement and accompanying submission form, available online.
The draft TOR is available to view online at https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/portofbrisbane
Should you require access to a computer to view the draft TOR or to make an electronic submission, please visit a local library or one of the following libraries during business hours:
• State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank, Brisbane
• National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra. Send your comments to the Coordinator-General using one of the following methods:
Online: https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/portofbrisbane
Email: PortofBrisbane@coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au
Post: Attention: The Coordinator-General c/- EIS Project Manager—Port of Brisbane Channel Enhancement project Office of the Coordinator-General PO Box 15517 City East Qld 4002 Australia.
COMMENTS CLOSE MONDAY 26 MAY 2025 Notes:
While you are encouraged to use the comment form, it is not mandatory. Your comment, including any personal information you provide in connection with your comment, may be disclosed by the CoordinatorGeneral to the project proponent and local, State and Australian government agencies. Your personal information will otherwise be dealt with in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld). If you have special communication needs or any concerns about the sharing of information, telephone the EIS Project Manager on 1800 001... to make alternative submission arrangements. For public and administrative convenience, the Coordinator-General will receive all comments on behalf of the Queensland and Australian governments.
Brisbane 4000
