Capricorn Integrated Resort – Iwasaki Sangyo Expansion Proposal. A significant area of diverse coastal ecosystems north of Yeppoon is at potential risk from urban expansion planned by Iwasaki Sangyo (Aust) P/L. The proposal area includes up to 6000 hectares of coastal land surrounding the existing Mercure resort. While the initial strategy plans allow for a Conservation Precinct over natural inland dunes and the broad freshwater wetlands of open sedge and melaleuca forest, the planned Urban Precinct may result in the virtual destruction of one the largest remaining tracts of the EPBC listed Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thicket of Eastern Australia.
Much of the proposed Urban Precinct land, has significant constraints to development especially due to regular sustained flooding and potential for ocean storm surge. CCC submission on the Terms of Reference for an Environmental Impact study will seek to ensure that the values outlined above are fully addressed. The Coordinator General has declared the Capricorn Integrated Resort to be a ‘coordinated project for which an environmental impact statement (EIS) is required’ under section 26(1)(a) of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act). The intention of the COG and Minister as expressed by consultants RPS Australia is plain “The output will be a Master Plan endorsed by the Coordinator-General that will inform future development applications, such as a Section 242 application that will override the Planning Scheme and secondary development approvals for specific land uses.” See CCC’s submission to Terms of Reference for EIS. See state govt site.