Spitfire Sand Extraction Project

The Project

The Port of Brisbane Corporation is seeking to extract sand from the Spitfire Channel in Northern Moreton Bay. This project will take place over the next 10-15 years and will enable the Corporation to expand its facilities to meet the demands associated with Queensland's strong economic growth.

The Moreton Bay Sand Extraction Study 2002 confirmed that land-based sources would not be able to provide the sand required and identified potential sand extraction sites within Moreton Bay. Preparation of the Study was coordinated by a steering committee, chaired by the Environmental Protection (EPA), and comprising representatives from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, the then Department of State Development and Innovation, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, the Port of Brisbane Corporation, the Brisbane Airport Corporation, the Extractive Industry Association, and the Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchments Partnership.

The Queensland Government's Sand Extraction Strategy 2004 defined the volumes of sand that could be extracted and the areas from which it could be taken. One of the key scenarios used in formulating the strategy involved the Corporation meeting its needs for sand (10-15 million m3) by straightening the main shipping channel - the Spitfire Channel.

The Port of Brisbane Corporation has received all necessary approvals from the EPA.

Permit Applications

To enable it to extract the sand required, the Port of Brisbane Corporation has applied for and been granted the following permits under the Queensland Integrated Planning Act 1997:

Operational Works (being Tidal Works)

Introduction and Operational Works Application (0.2MB)
Figure 4 - Operational Works Set-out* (0.4MB)

Application for disturbance of Marine Plants

IPA Form O2 (0.03MB)
Disturbance of Marine Plants Application (0.2MB)
Attachment A – Moreton Bay Sand Extraction Study Summary of Findings* (0.6MB)
Attachment B – Locality Plan and Survey Data* (1.76MB)
Attachment C – Spitfire Sand Extraction Project Hydraulic Impact Assessment* (0.3MB)
Attachment D – Seagrass Survey* (2.1MB)

Application for Quarry Material (Resource Allocation) and Marine Parks permit

Information Request from coordinating agency

After reviewing the Corporation’s initial Permit Applications, a number of requests for further information were received and form the basis of this Information request from DLGPSR (0.12MB)

Draft Response to Information Request

The Corporation has prepared a draft response to the Information Request, which was subject to public consultation from 7 November - 16 December 2005.

Response to Draft Information Request Oct 2005 (0.2MB)
Attachment 1 - Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (0.06MB)
Attachment 2 - Advice from Federal Department of the Environment and Heritage re EPBC Act 1999 (Non Controlled Action): Part 1 (0.04MB) & 2 (0.02MB)
Attachment 3 – Environmental Management Plan for the T.S.H.D Brisbane (0.67MB)
Attachment 3 – T.S.H.D. Brisbane EMP – Locality Plan and Survey Data* (1.76MB)
Attachment 3 – T.S.H.D. Brisbane EMP – Sewage Dicharge Zones (0.61MB)
Attachment 4 – Spitfire Channel Turbidity Monitoring (Pearl River Dredge May 1995) (2.25MB)
Attachment 5 – Turbidity Monitoring of Sir Thomas Hiley Dredging North West Channel November 1995 (1.05MB)

The Port of Brisbane Corporation also submitted an application to the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) for consideration under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Following a review of the information submitted, the DEH determined that the project was not a controlled action. View the application and ruling

Current Projects

Sand extraction project