North Star to NSW/Queensland Border project update May 2021
This month on the North Star to NSW/Queensland Border project we submitted our Preferred Infrastructure Report and Biodiversity Development Assessment Report to the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE).
May 31, 2021
As part of the project’s Response to Submissions phase, we have been developing several reports for submission to DPE, including a Preferred Infrastructure Report to detail proposed updates and sensitivity testing of the Macintyre River floodplain model and a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report.
What is a Preferred Infrastructure Report? A Preferred Infrastructure Report may be requested by the Planning Secretary if an aspect of a project needs further detail to address issues raised in the submissions phase or during DPE’s detailed assessment of the project. The report’s purpose is to outline any updates or clarifications to the project and to help the community, government agencies and the approval authority understand the implications of these changes. Find out more here.
What is a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report? A Biodiversity Development Assessment Report is required under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and assesses certain impacts on threatened species and threatened ecological communities, their habitats, and impacts on biodiversity values. The report provides guidance on how to avoid and minimise potential biodiversity impacts and identifies the number and class of biodiversity credits that need to be offset to achieve a standard of ‘no net loss’ of biodiversity. Find out more about biodiversity conservation here.
Upcoming engagement
The team is now preparing to meet with the project’s technical working group – including DPE, the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, Transport for New South Wales, local councils and local flood specialists – early next month to present proposed updates to the Macintyre River floodplain model.
Out and about
Thanks to everyone who came to see us at the Goondiwindi Show earlier this month. We spoke to lots of locals and visitors about everything from managing impacts to what’s up next on the project.
Our team loves a chat so don’t forget you can drop into our Goondiwindi office at 116 Marshall Street (in the Goondiwindi Business Hub).
You can also get in touch with us by calling 1800 732 761 or emailing inlandrailnsw@artc.com.au.
