The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has accepted Queensland Rail’s (QR) final Environmental Evaluation (EE) into coal loss, submitted on March 31, as meeting its requirements.

The EPA has issued QR with a notice to draft a Transitional Environmental Program (TEP) that will include the recommendations identified in the final EE.

The EPA has found that while dust emissions from QR trains in Central Queensland do not exceed National Environmental Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measures (NEPM), they are a source of dust and have the potential to cause an environmental nuisance or harm.

The final EE report, written by independent consultants Connell Hatch, is a detailed assessment of the impact of coal loss, on communities and the environment, from trains in Central Queensland.

The report has identified sources of coal dust come from the surface of a loaded coal wagon, leakage from doors of loaded wagons, residual coal in unloaded wagons, wind erosion of spilled coal in the corridor and coal stuck on wagon sills and wheels. 

A number of possible mitigations strategies were also identified such as:

1.   Spraying chemical dust suppressants onto loaded coal wagons

2.   Improved coal loading techniques 

3.   Improved load profiling to create a consistent surface of coal in each wagon

4.   Improved unloading techniques to minimise coal ploughing and coal stuck on wagons. 

QR will now develop the draft TEP, which will identify short, medium and long term strategies, in consultation with the EPA and industry. 

Project

To identify factors/causes of coal loss from QR trains in Central Queensland on rail corridors connecting coal mines in the Bowen and Callide basins with ports at Dalrymple Bay, Hay Point and Gladstone, in an effort to reduce the impact of environmental, social, and commercial consequences associated with coal loss.

System Map

Cost Estimate

Approximately AUD$3 million

Project deliverables

EE Interim Report due January 31/08

EE Final Report due March 31/08

EE’s Terms of Reference:

1. Identify sources of coal dust emissions from QR trains in Central Queensland on land described as rail lines connecting coal mines in the Bowen and Callide basins with ports at Dalrymple Bay, Hay Point and Gladstone.
2. Quantify the potential risk of environmental harm posed by each dust source.
3. Identify the factors and circumstances that contribute to dust emissions and/or impacts from each source. Consideration should be given to (but not limited to) issues such as coal type, coal properties and meteorological conditions.
4. Based on the findings from the above, identify locations within QR’s Central Queensland operations where there is proximity of railway lines to communities that may give rise to higher risk of environmental harm due to fugitive coal dust.
5. Identify ways to reduce the risk of harm being caused by coal dust emissions and assess each for practicability, effectiveness and cost, in relation to the mitigation of environmental impacts of fugitive coal dust emissions.                  

Connell Hatch has been appointed to conduct the EE, along with sub-contractors Katestone Environmental and Introspec Planning.

http://www.connellhatch.com.au

http://www.katestone.com.au/ 

QRNA encourages feedback from the community. The information collected on coal loss will contribute to the consultant’s evaluation of coal loss in Central Queensland. 
If you would like to register feedback about coal loss in your area please:

Mail it to: 
Coal Loss Management Project
GPO Box 1429
Brisbane QLD 4001

Or call us on: 07 4932 0268

Alternatively Email: coalloss@qr.com.au