[Ts-09] PC Bulletin - August

[Peace Convergence]

Dear Friends

UREGENT ACTION is required regarding the proposed coal port and railway line
to be built in the Shoalwater/Byfield area by Waratah Coal.

Building more coal infrastructure is madness as our planet melts down.
Shoalwater Bay should be preserved not carved up by the military and coal
industries.

Waratah Coal has submitted a referral to the Federal Government outlining
what impacts the development may have on the area as required under the
Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC).

Public submissions to Peter Garrett (Environment Minister) can be made in
response to the referral by Waratah Coal. Individuals and groups making
submissions must act now as the deadline is 14 August 2008.

Referral from Waratah Coal:
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_
detail&proposal_id=4366

How to make a submission:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/notices/epbc-help.html#comment

Regards

The Peace Convergence Team

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

What YOU can do!

Read SWAG Press Release:
Local conservationists and the Shoalwater Bay Wilderness Awareness Group
(SWAG) are appalled by new evidence obtained from analysing information
contained in Waratah Coal¹s initial advice statement (IAS).

Steve Bishopric (SWAG spokesman) says, ³The coal terminal is best described
as Port Byfield and not Port Clinton or Œin Shoalwater Bay¹. Although
located in the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area (SWBTA) the proposed
port is close to Byfield township adjacent to the Byfield National Park. The
proposed rail line will cut through the Byfield forest, crossing the
Yeppoon-Byfield road south of the military gates then into SWBTA along the
National Park boundary. This project flies in the face of the Federal
Government¹s carbon trading initiatives and their calls for Australians to
ŒTHINK CLIMATE, THINK CHANGE¹¹ ".

³The meetings are being called to inform Byfield and Stanage Bay residents
and the wider community of the implications of this huge project.
Investigations show that the project is already well advanced and is
seriously alarming² says Steve.

The projected 100 million tonnes per annum facility will be located 3 km
north of Five Rocks Beach (Three Rivers) and 20km from Byfield town.

Steve said, ³Facts revealed by the IAS and from the Capricorn Conservation
Councils meeting with Waratah Coal¹s CEO Peter Lynch indicate ­

·     Ships may be up to 440,000 tonnes in capacity twice the size of those
currently in use elsewhere and drawing up to 24m.
·     Ship and Chinese port construction for this class vessel has already
commenced in China.
·     Engineering plans are well advanced for the $5.1 billion rail port
project and mine design.
·     The proposal states the rail line will cross only five kilometres of
military training area, but will cross the Byfield State Forest and
terminate along the boundary of the Byfield National Park.
·     The railway will cross Waterpark Creek and north Sandy Creek just
north of Byfield township.
·     Trains will be 21,240 tonnes, with 180 wagons, 6 locomotives, 3.2km
long and bottom dumping, operating 24 hrs per day.
·     Port facilities are wholly within the Waterpark Creek catchment area
for the Capricorn coast.
·     Coal stockpiles will be 2.5million tonnes and 2.5km  x 160m in size
with expansion capabilities.
·     A 1.7-km wharf will berth 2 ships loading 10,000 tonnes per hour.
·     Port will also include stockpile reclaimers, conveyors, loaders, two
rail loops. A tug harbour and barge dock will possibly be situated in Port
Clinton.
·      Port construction workforce will be up to 600 persons with a
permanent staff of 100.
·      Port will consume 800 mega litres of water per annum and require a 40
Mw powers supply through a new transmission grid.
·      The project will affect the Darumbal peoples native title claims and
indigenous use.
·      Air quality, dust, noise and vibration will impact on neighbouring
communities, waterways and beaches.
·      Port is located wholly within RAMSAR wetlands.
·      Port will require amendment of the GBR zone plan to allow shipping
access.
·      Waratah Coal admits disturbance to many endangered terrestrial and
marine species will result.
·      Dredging will be in pristine sea beds and sediment will be dumped
unconfined at sea, affecting habitats.
·      Port will affect fish, turtles, dugongs, dolphins and whales.
·      Access to the port is via the Byfield ­ Yeppoon road.

Steve concluded, ³The meetings at Byfield and Stanage bay will give the
community the opportunity to air their concerns and to start planning
strategies to stop the proposed Coal Terminal²

Public Meetings:
Monday 11th August - 123 Landsberg Road, Stanage Bay, 6.30 p.m.
Thursday 14th August ­ Byfield Hall, 7pm

Write to the Rockhampton Mayor and councilors:

Rockhampton Regional Council
232 Bolsover Street, Rockhampton QLD 4700
PO Box 1860, Rockhampton QLD 4700
http://www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au

His Worship the Mayor Cr Brad Carter
Work Phone:     4936 8275
Work Fax:      4922 7351
Email:     mayor at rrc.qld.gov.au

Division 1 Glenda Mather
Fax Number:      4936 4230
Mobile:     0412 100 263
Email:      glenda.mather at rrc.qld.gov.au

Division 2 Brett Svendsen
Mobile:     0400 768 515
Email:     brett.svendsen at rrc.qld.gov.au

Division 3 Bill Ludwig
Fax Number:     4939 7645
Mobile:      0428 791 792
Email:        bill.ludwig at rrc.qld.gov.au

Division 4 Sandra O¹Brien
Mobile     0408 060 763
Email     sandra.obrien at rrc.qld.gov.au

Division 5 Cherie Rutherford
Fax Number     4936 3717
Mobile     0439 753 056
Email     cherie.rutherford at rrc.qld.gov.au

Division 6 Cr Greg Belz
Mobile     0417 287 859
Email      greg.belz at rrc.qld.gov.au

Division 7 Stephen Schwarten
Mobile     0438 783 695
Email     stephen.schwarten at rrc.qld.gov.au

Division 8 Cr Tony Williams
Mobile     0407 579 025
Email     tony.williams at rrc.qld.gov.au

Division 9 Cr Rose Swadling
Fax Number     4926 5650
Mobile     0418 458 622
Email     rose.swadling at rrc.qld


Don¹t forget:
* International Day of Peace September 21.
* Asia Pacific Defence & Security Exhibition in Adelaide this November
11-13. 
* Talisman Sabre July 6-26 2009



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