The Springsure Creek Project, earmarked for south east of Emerald, is one step closer to fruition with Bandanna Energy announcing that the Federal Government has given its approval, provided the company satisfactorily resolves six objections the Project received during the public notification period.
Bandanna Energy’s Managing Director, Michael Gray, said that the approval of the project by the Commonwealth Government was another major step towards development of the Project. “Bandanna Energy takes its environmental management responsibility very seriously and completed an extensive and very thorough environmental assessment to move the Project towards development,” said Mr Gray.
“Bandanna Energy is very pleased to receive the approval from the Commonwealth Government which covers both the minesite as well as infrastructure corridor and rail loadout. Importantly, the Springsure Creek Coal Project was one of the first projects to be assessed by the Commonwealth Government’s Independent Expert Scientific Committee which was established to specifically examine the impacts of coal seam gas and coal mining projects on groundwater. That Panel concluded that it was satisfied with the assessment undertaken by Bandanna Energy and its consultants and imposed no further conditions on the development,” added Mr Gray.
In a statement the company said,”Of the six objections received during the public notification period for the Springsure Creek Coal Project Mining Lease applications, Bandanna Energy has received constructive responses from the three outstanding directly affected landowners and is seeking to resolve all six objections in the coming weeks. Until this process of resolving objections reaches a conclusion, its impact on the timing of the grant of the Mining Leases for the Project remains uncertain.”
The permit, which covers the mine area as well as the infrastructure corridor and rail loadout, provides conditions under which the project must be developed and operated. Bandanna Energy has confirmed to the Commonwealth Government that it is satisfied with all the conditions that are included in that permit.
The project was assessed by the Commonwealth Government in relation to the potential impacts on threatened species and communities, listed migratory species, and water resources including surface water and groundwater. During the notification period for the Commonwealth draft Environmental Impact Statement, no submissions were received by the government from landowners, community groups or any member of the public.
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