Proposed Isaac Downs Extension Project Environmental Impact Statement

Closed
29 September 2026 11.59pm
Topic
Environmental licensing and regulation
Type
Public notice and consultation

Stanmore ID Extension Pty Ltd. propose to develop the Isaac Downs Extension project, an open cut coal mine pit, as an extension of the Isaac Downs Mine (IDM) and part of the Isaac Plains Complex. The project would be located approximately 15km southeast of Moranbah, central Queensland. The project covers 2,707 ha on mining lease applications 700081, 700082, 700083 and 700084. Approximately 46 million tonnes of run of mine (ROM) coal would be mined over 15 years and would involve utilisation of existing infrastructure at IDM.

Environmental Protection Act 1994 – Sections 51 and 52

Notice of environmental impact statement (EIS):
Proposed Isaac Downs Extension Project

An EIS for the proposed Isaac Downs Extension (IDE) project has been prepared by Stanmore ID Extension Pty Ltd. The IDE project would be located approximately 15km southeast of Moranbah, central Queensland. The project covers 2,707ha on mining lease applications 700081, 700082, 700083 and 700084.

The project would involve the development of an open cut coal mine pit as an extension of Isaac Downs Mine (IDM), part of the Isaac Plains Complex. Approximately 46 million tonnes of run of mine (ROM) coal would be mined over 15 years, with approximately 2–4.5 million tonnes per annum. The project would involve utilisation of existing infrastructure at IDM, including coal handling and preparation plant and train load out, connecting linear infrastructure with IDM (e.g. roads, pipelines and powerlines), river and creek crossings, water management infrastructure (e.g. dams, levees, creek diversion and drainage controls), go-line and administration office. The expected life of the project would be approximately 30 years, including construction, operation, decommissioning and rehabilitation.

Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Queensland)

Application was made by the proponent under sections 70 and 71 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) for a voluntary EIS for the IDE project. Under section 72 of the EP Act it was determined that assessment of the IDE project would be by EIS.

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)

The project was determined to be a controlled action (EPBC 2025/10183) under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The controlling provisions are:

  • listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 and 18A)
  • a water resource, in relation to unconventional gas development and large coal mining development (sections 24D and 24E).

The EIS process will assess potential impacts of the project on the controlling provisions as an accredited assessment process under section 87(4) of the EPBC Act.

The EIS can be viewed online at https://stanmore.au/assets/projects/ide/. Electronic copies can be ordered by phoning the proponent on (07) 32381000 or emailing environmental.approvals@stanmore.net.au

Written submissions in relation to the EIS are invited from any person within the submission period. The submission period commences on Wednesday 19 August 2026 and concludes on Tuesday 29 September 2026.

Submissions should be addressed to:

The Chief Executive
Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
Attention: The EIS Coordinator (Isaac Downs Extension project)
GPO Box 2454, Brisbane QLD 4001
400 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Or by email to eis@detsi.qld.gov.au

A properly made submission is one that:

  • is written
  • is signed by or for each person (“signatory”) who made the submission
  • states the name and address of each signatory
  • is made to the chief executive
  • is received on or before the last day of the submission period.

For further information regarding the EIS process for this proposal, contact the EIS coordinator for the IDE Project on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or email eis@detsi.qld.gov.au

Privacy Statement

Please note it is a statutory requirement that all submissions (including names and addresses) will be provided to the proponent as required under section 56 of the EP Act, so that they may consider them and provide a response to the department. This consultation is a public process, and any submission you provide may be published (including online) and may be transmitted outside of Australia. You may wish to bear this in mind when providing your submission.

Pursuant to section 540A of the EP Act, the department is required to maintain a register of certain documents and information authorised under the EP Act. A summary document of any submissions made to the chief executive and the proponent’s response to these submissions, which may contain information provided within a public submission, will be kept on the public register. The register is available for inspection by members of the public who are able to take extracts, or copies of the documents from the register. Documents that are required to be kept on the register are published in their entirety, unless alteration is required by the EP Act. There is no general discretion allowing the department to withhold documents or information required to be kept on the public register. For more information on the department’s public register, search ‘public register’ at www.qld.gov.au. For queries about privacy matters please email privacy@detsi.qld.gov.au or telephone 13 QGOV (13 74 68).