Port of Brisbane Channel Enhancement project - draft terms of reference for an environmental impact statement

Overview

Queensland's Coordinator-General invites you to have your say on the draft terms of reference (TOR) for an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Port of Brisbane Channel Enhancement project (the project).

Prepared by the Coordinator-General, the draft TOR sets out the matters to be studied within the EIS. 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. 

About the 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 proposed 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). 

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 have your say

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 comment form, available online.

The draft TOR is available from Saturday 26 April 2025 to Monday 26 May 2025 at 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:     click on the 'Have your say' link below

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                       

A comment on the draft TOR must meet the following criteria:

• be made to the Coordinator-General in writing or electronically
• be received on or before the last day of the comment period
• be signed by each person who made the comment (or submitted online or by email)
• state the name and address of each person who made the comment
• state the grounds of the comment and the facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds.

Note: Any comment received may be provided to the proponent on request.