Reply to epetition

I don't know who saw the reply but this is the state of play at the moment

The Clerk of the ParliamentParliament HouseCnr George and Alice StreetsBRISBANE QLD 4000Dear Mr LaurieThank you for your letter of 12 March 2021, concerning petition No. 3406-20 tabled in theLegislative Assembly on 9 March 2021, regarding the Galalar Silica Sand mine proposed byDiatreme Resources Limited.The petition requests that the Queensland Government remove export options through theEndeavour River and the Nob Point port. The petition raises concerns that the TraditionalOwners of affected areas have not been properly consulted to date and most are opposed tothe proposals due to significant impacts on traditional and historical cultural values. The petitionalso provides that residents living along Endeavour Valley Road, Marton Boat ramp, on theriver and the Cooktown and Hopevale communities are extremely concerned for their safetyand health, the destruction of the river system, decline of native flora and fauna, the use ofEndeavour Harbour, impacts on recreational fishing, decline in property values, impacts onbusinesses and tourism, the health of the Great Barrier Reef, and the negative social effectsthis project will have on Cooktown.Resource projects are a major contributor to the Queensland economy and the governmentplays an important role in ensuring such developments are ecologically sustainable. Thegovernment is keen to see Diatreme work diligently and collaboratively with the TraditionalOwners and the community.The Galalar Silica Sand Project will require a range of approvals from the state and federalgovernments. A comprehensive environmental impact statement (EIS) is already underway,which will ensure the project is subject to a rigorous assessment of all environmental, socialand economic impacts.Importantly the EIS process involves extensive community consultation, including arequirement for a social impact assessment (SIA). The SIA outcomes include the existing socialenvironment of communities potentially impacted by the project, the potential social impacts(both positive and negative) of the project, as well as how they will be managed and monitoredand how the project will contribute to enhancing the sustainability of these communities.2As part of the EIS, Diatreme will be required to specifically address issues such as the bargeloading and transhipping aspects of the project. It will need to adequately address anyproposals to undertake transhipping of material in state waters or the Commonwealth marinearea against relevant matters, including but not limited to:• the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan (2018) and any subsequent reviews,particularly with regard to its position on restricting new port development.• the Cumulative Impact Management Policy (2018).• the Net Benefit Policy (2018) iv. Great Barrier Reef Coast Strategic Assessment Reports(2014).• the Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2019.• the North-East Shipping Management Plan (2014) and any subsequent reviews vii.Queensland Transhipping Policy (2018).Separate to the EIS, all mining leases in Queensland are subject to a public notification stageduring which anyone can object to the application. Diatreme will be required to publish its mininglease application notice in either a hard copy newspaper or an online publication.Other approvals needed before a mining lease is considered for approval include native titleagreements and a landowner compensation agreement.In relation to native title, the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993 identifies who is a negotiatingparty for the purposes of the right to negotiate process. It also identifies the registered nativetitle body corporate for the area of the application which is the negotiating party. In this case,the registered native title body corporate is the Hopevale Congress Aboriginal Corporation.I provide you with this response for tabling in accordance with Standing Order 125(3). Anyenquiries regarding this response can be referred to Mr Brett Murphy, Chief of Staff, ontelephone 3008 3500.Yours sincerelyScott Stewart MPMinister for Resources