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Goonyella to Abbot Point Rail Project

Project overview*

EIS status 'Coordinated project' declaration cancelled by Coordinator-General
Description A dedicated rail line, approximately 260 km in length, to transport up to 60 million tonnes per annum of coal. The line was proposed to service a number of potential new and expanded coal mines.
Proponent BHP Billiton MetCoal Holdings Pty Ltd, a member of the BHP Billiton Group.
Location/s The line was proposed to run from the Goonyella Riverside Mine in the Bowen Basin, approximately 24 kilometres north-west of Moranbah, to the Port of Abbot Point, near Bowen.
Local government/s
  • Isaac Regional Council
  • Whitsunday Regional Council
Key features
  • 60-metre-wide rail corridor
  • balloon loops at Goonyella Riverside Mine and Port of Abbot Point
  • associated infrastructure, including additional balloon loops, passing loops, bridges and culverts.

* Project information supplied by proponent and subject to change.

Environmental impact statement (EIS) process

Date Activity
7 November 2013 'Coordinated project' declaration cancelled by Coordinator-General.
23 October 2013 Request for withdrawal from EIS process received.
9 May 2012 Terms of reference for EIS (PDF icon 3.76 MB) released.
4 February 2012 to
5 March 2012
Draft terms of reference for EIS public consultation.
24 October 2011 Gazettal of 'coordinated project' declaration (PDF icon 109 KB)
23 September 2011 Project deemed a controlled action by Commonwealth Minister for the Environment. More information
30 August 2011 Application, including initial advice statement (PDF icon 3.89 MB), submitted.
18 August 2011 Project referred to Commonwealth Minister for the Environment.

Read more about the EIS process.

Last updated: 09 Nov 2021