jaybee
27-05-2003, 04:00 PM
Media Release by Sun Aqua
30th April 2003
The following outline is presented to allay concerns and to dispel the various conspiracy theories floating around, concerning the timing of the release of our EIS to public scrutiny.
BACKGROUND
On 31 October 2001, the Queensland Coordinator-General declared the project to be a significant project pursuant to section 26 of Part 5 of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act). The Queensland State Development and Public Works Organisation Regulation 1999 (SDPWO Regulation) provides for an accredited assessment process for a project declared as a significant project.
Under the provisions of the SDPWO Act, Sun Aqua is required to produce a full Environmental Impact Statement for assessment by both the State and Commonwealth Governments. Under this Act, the Department of State Development (DSD) is responsible for co-ordinating the Government approach to this process. It is not, and is not acting as, the promoter of the project. In late 2001, Terms of Reference for the EIS were issued by the DSD, after a period of public consultation. Throughout 2002, Sun Aqua has been carrying out a program of analysis and compiling the document to satisfy the Terms of Reference.
PRESENT STATUS
Last month a draft document was presented to the DSD to determine whether all Terms of Reference had been adequately addressed. After consultation with the EPA and the DPI it was determined that further work was required and that the document still required additional information and more comprehensive presentation of data in order that a full assessment could be done.
No assessment of the data contained in the draft was made at this time.
Sun Aqua is currently carrying out the extra work required.
FUTURE STEPS
Once the document is completed it will then be re-presented to the DSD for its determination as to whether all of the Terms of Reference have been complied with.
If the DSD is satisfied that the document has adequately addressed the Terms of Reference, then it will issue an instruction to Sun Aqua, advising that the document must go on public display, including appropriate advertising and distribution of the document. The final timing of the release of the document will be at Sun Aqua’s discretion.
Once released, the document will be available in both electronic format and hard copy, and be on public display for an extended period, in excess of 6 weeks.
All public comment received at that time will then need to be reviewed by Sun Aqua, and a supplementary document provided to the DSD.
Once the supplementary document has been received by DSD, then and only then will the project be given consideration by Government.
30th April 2003
The following outline is presented to allay concerns and to dispel the various conspiracy theories floating around, concerning the timing of the release of our EIS to public scrutiny.
BACKGROUND
On 31 October 2001, the Queensland Coordinator-General declared the project to be a significant project pursuant to section 26 of Part 5 of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act). The Queensland State Development and Public Works Organisation Regulation 1999 (SDPWO Regulation) provides for an accredited assessment process for a project declared as a significant project.
Under the provisions of the SDPWO Act, Sun Aqua is required to produce a full Environmental Impact Statement for assessment by both the State and Commonwealth Governments. Under this Act, the Department of State Development (DSD) is responsible for co-ordinating the Government approach to this process. It is not, and is not acting as, the promoter of the project. In late 2001, Terms of Reference for the EIS were issued by the DSD, after a period of public consultation. Throughout 2002, Sun Aqua has been carrying out a program of analysis and compiling the document to satisfy the Terms of Reference.
PRESENT STATUS
Last month a draft document was presented to the DSD to determine whether all Terms of Reference had been adequately addressed. After consultation with the EPA and the DPI it was determined that further work was required and that the document still required additional information and more comprehensive presentation of data in order that a full assessment could be done.
No assessment of the data contained in the draft was made at this time.
Sun Aqua is currently carrying out the extra work required.
FUTURE STEPS
Once the document is completed it will then be re-presented to the DSD for its determination as to whether all of the Terms of Reference have been complied with.
If the DSD is satisfied that the document has adequately addressed the Terms of Reference, then it will issue an instruction to Sun Aqua, advising that the document must go on public display, including appropriate advertising and distribution of the document. The final timing of the release of the document will be at Sun Aqua’s discretion.
Once released, the document will be available in both electronic format and hard copy, and be on public display for an extended period, in excess of 6 weeks.
All public comment received at that time will then need to be reviewed by Sun Aqua, and a supplementary document provided to the DSD.
Once the supplementary document has been received by DSD, then and only then will the project be given consideration by Government.