APPROVAL BACKGROUND
In March 2008, the proponent submitted an amendment to the original development application, to Gympie Regional Council. This was in response to a declaration made in September 2007, by the Planning and Environment Court.
The amendment included minor modifications to the layout of the site. The basic intent and scope of the development remained unaffected.
As part of the normal application processes, several referral agencies including Gympie Regional Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Natural Resources and Water, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, and the Department of Main Roads issued an information request on June 24, 2008.
A response to the information request was prepared and submitted to Gympie Regional Council in June 2009. The response then was made available publicly. Interested community members were invited to view and comment on the plan. All comments received were considered by the proponent and Gympie Regional Council before the application received approval.
WHERE IS IT AT NOW
On February 10, 2010, the Gympie Regional Council and State Government agencies including the Department of Environment and Resource Management; Fisheries; Maritime Safety Queensland; and the Department of Transport and Main Roads, approved, subject to special conditions, the impact assessable components of the development application for the proposed Fraser Straits Marina.
Although the formal scope of Council's approval role was limited to what is determined by Queensland law, Council was provided with detailed information about the entire development including those aspects of particular interest to Council in its local role.
The assessment completed by the key State Government agencies included detailed consideration of all the environmental issues associated with the whole of the proposed development. This led to comprehensive conditions of approval through which the Government is confident that potential impacts can be properly minimised and managed. If they were not confident of this, approval would not have been granted.
In considering the application, the Department of Environment and Resource Management and Fisheries determined they would grant a 'part approval' of the small section of reclamation and kiosk at the western end of the proposed development. This has precipitated a refinement in the layout of this small area. While the refinement has introduced some limitations on the intended development function of this area, it has resulted in benefits including:
- A reduced footprint on mangrove and intertidal area
- Reconstruction of the existing, deteriorating rock walls
- Less disturbance in and near the dolphin viewing area
- Reduced construction period in this area.
The latest plans for the development, including the refined western reclamation and kiosk layout, are available on the 'Proposed Marina' page of this website.
The proposed development has now progressed to the Federal Government's approvals processes where issues controlled by the EPBC Act will be examined. This assessment is underway and will be completed over the coming months.
Federal Government approval from the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPC) - formerly the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts - is required as the proposed development has been determined to be a 'controlled action' to be assessed by Preliminary Documentation.
The Preliminary Documentation was prepared and placed on public display for a period which ended on September 23, 2010.
All submissions received during the public comment period were collated and information needed to address them has been gathered. A report detailing the received comments and presenting the responses to these comments is currently being prepared. Once complete, this report will be submitted to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Community (SEWPC) and placed on public display.
