We have achieved so much.
In September 2024, the Bowen Pipeline Company provisionally secured land for the entire 182 kilometres of trunk and branch lines, including support from both the Whitsunday Regional Council and Burdekin Shire Council to use local road reserves. Importantly, landowner agreements over all private land required for the proposed infrastructure has been secured.
Discussions to formalise land agreements with public entities are being progressed in parallel with the Project Approvals.
State Project Approvals – Ministerial Infrastructure Designation
On 18 December 2024, the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (‘the Department’) formally endorsed the Bowen Pipeline Project to submit a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) proposal. The application was submitted to the Department on the very same day.
A general outline of the MID assessment process and the current status of the proposal is illustrated below:
Where are we at?
The Planning Minister commenced their stakeholder consultation on the Project on 14 March 2025, which is to conclude on the 22 April 2025.
We are undertaking a separate public consultation period notifying relevant stakeholders of the MID application and inviting stakeholders to make formal submissions. This separate public consultation process commenced on the 4 April 2025 and concludes on the and 8 May 2025 .
Submissions can be made to the Department via the following:
· Online: www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/mid-consultations;
· Email: infrastructuredesignation@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au; or
· Post: PO Box 15009, City East QLD 4002.
We also welcome any questions regarding the project or would be happy to provide any correspondence to the Department on your behalf. If you wish to further discuss the MID proposal, please direct enquiries to the Bowen Pipeline Company via email:
Following the conclusion of both consultation periods, the Planning Minister will consider all submissions and internal state agency referral comments. At this time the Minister may request additional information on the project prior to making a formal determination on the proposed MID.
Commonwealth Project Approvals – EPBC Referral
The Project has been referred to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Commonwealth Minister decided that the project was a controlled action based on its potential impacts on Matters of National Environmental Significance. The assessment process for the proposed action is currently under consideration by the Commonwealth Department in collaboration with the Queensland Government. The EPBC referral assessment is being progressed concurrently to the assessment of the MID application.
Integrated Sustainability Strategy
The Bowen Pipeline Company has completed an Integrated Sustainability Strategy - Targeting Net Zero – implementation of:
Federal Government’s Climate Change Act;
State carbon reduction targets; and
Indigenous Prosperity
Resulting in:
Traditional Owner project equity;
Net Zero electricity use (65 hectares of solar produces enough electricity to supply the pipeline for a 24 hour cycle);
Use of on-site HDPE pipe extrusion technology to save 5,000,000 km in B double truck movements, 11,000 pipe welds and 36,000 hours of welding (overall significant carbon reductions in transportation and installation);
Supply to the Abbot Point Green Energy Export Hub for the production of ammonia (fertilisers for local, national and international markets), green hydrogen (export and domestic), bioenergy (turning food waste into power, gas and bio fertilisers) and other potential tertiary users.