Emu Swamp Dam Project (Granite Belt Irrigation Project)

Project overview*

EIS status	Lapsed
Description	A 12,074 megalitre irrigation dam and water-supply scheme on the Severn River.
Proponent	Granite Belt Water Limited
Location/s	On the Severn River, 15 km south west of Stanthorpe. Map
Local government/s	Southern Downs Regional Council
Investment	$84 million
Key features	dam pipelines linking to irrigation properties access road
Jobs	700 (direct and indirect permanent jobs) 250 construction jobs

* Project information supplied by proponent and subject to change.

The Project is being assessed as part of the Queensland Government’s Southern and Darling Downs Regional Water Assessment (RWA) so all options for water security in the region can be assessed. Should the project advance, there are alternate pathways for obtaining State approvals which may include a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation process under the Planning Act 2016.

Environmental impact statement (EIS) process

Date	Activity
1 April 2023	Coordinator-General’s evaluation report on the EIS lapsed.
28 March 2022	The Coordinator-General stated a new lapse date for the Coordinator-General's EIS evaluation report of 1 April 2023.
31 March 2020	The Coordinator-General stated a new lapse date for the Coordinator-General’s EIS evaluation report of 1 April 2022.
31 January 2020	The Coordinator-General determined an assessment of project changes is not required.
17 December 2019	The proponent sought advice from the Coordinator-General whether a project change application is required for identified project changes.
2 April 2019	The Coordinator-General stated a new lapse date for the Coordinator-General’s EIS evaluation report of 2 April 2020.
2 October 2018	The Coordinator-General stated a new lapse date for the Coordinator-General’s EIS evaluation report of 2 April 2019.
26 September 2017	The Coordinator-General stated a new lapse date for the Coordinator-General’s EIS evaluation report of 2 October 2018.
11 November 2014	Commonwealth Minister for the Environment's approval of controlled action, subject to conditions.
29 September 2014	Coordinator-General's report on EIS released ( 1.7 MB)
2 April 2014 to 2 May 2014	Additional information to EIS assessed by other government agencies.
7 April 2008	Additional information for the EIS requested by Coordinator-General.
12 January 2008 to 25 February 2008	EIS public consultation. Complete EIS
26 June 2007	Terms of reference for EIS ( 515 KB) released.
31 March 2007 to 8 May 2007	Draft terms of reference for EIS public consultation.
9 February 2007	Gazettal of 'coordinated project' declaration ( 187 KB)
3 January 2007	Project deemed a controlled action by Commonwealth Minister for the Environment.
20 December 2006	Project referred to Commonwealth Minister for the Environment.
8 September 2006	Application, initial advice statement ( 3.14 MB), submitted.