1st March 2011 - IMETT to Re-submit Queensland Motorsport Project
Queensland’s ‘motorsport mecca’ is still on the horizon, with confirmation that IMETT Group Pty Ltd will resubmit its Gold Coast project to the State Government.
The new submission follows the Co-ordinator General’s shock announcement late last year not to approve the company’s Environmental Impact Statement for public and advisory agency comment, and advice that the Significant Project Status had lapsed.
IMETT Managing Director Ron Brown said the company was disappointed by the announcement, as IMETT had been working closely with Government for some time and had adjusted the EIS document to address changing Government requirements on several occasions before its formal lodgement.
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16 December 2010 – Government Announcement Not The End
In a shock announcement, and despite months of consultation with his Department, the Co-ordinator General advised that he was not satisfied that the IMETT Environmental Impact Statement met the requirements addressed in the Terms of Reference.
IMETT Managing Director, Ron Brown, expressed his disappointment and confusion with the Co-ordinator General’s decision, but is not dismayed with the decision.
“Having worked closely with the Government for some time, we can only assume this decision is a mistake. If this isn’t the case, it is quite a significant sacrifice in terms of employment and private sector investment,” he said.
“However, this is unequivocally not the end of the road for IMETT – in fact, its far from it! We are now calling on our supporters to help show the State Government that their decision is misguided and fight for the chance of review relevant documentation before the project is lost to Queensland.”
IMETT supporters can join the IMETT Facebook page, follow Twitter for regular news and blog updates.
8 November 2010 – Formal EIS Lodged
IMETT has formally lodged its formal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) following eight years of planning and development, and months of consultation with the Queensland Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
The Government will now review the document in lieu of a community consultation period to be announced in the coming weeks.
29 September 2010 – More Time Given To Meet Changed EIS Parameters
The Co-ordinator General has granted IMETT an extension of time to complete significant changes to the original Terms of Reference outlined for the Environmental Impact Statement.
While the changes will require additional reporting and more detail, they will ensure that all required information is contained in the documentation when distributed for public comment.
The final Environmental Impact Statement can now be submitted by 17 December 2010.
13 July 2010 – Changed Scope for Third EIS
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure had a change of heart in suggesting IMETT include the total land area in its Environmental Impact Statement. Instead of increasing the land area, the Department requested IMETT reduce that shown within the report so as not to confuse the issue. The Department has also sought additional changes outside the original EIS scope, as outlined in the Terms of Reference.
While this will result in additional time and reporting, it is understood that the final changes signify the last steps in the EIS development process and aid the development of the final document.
All amendments to the original requirements have been received in writing.
22 April 2010 – IMETT follows Government lead
The second draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was submitted following advice from the Government to include the total land area and supplement the technical information with some ‘selling’ information.
It is understood that the Government believed the community should also have the opportunity to review the benefits of the project as well as the science behind it.
17 December 2009 – Draft EIS Lodged
After seven years of planning and development, IMETT has lodged the first draft of its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
While the deadline and the requirement for a completed document is still some months away, the draft was submitted at a meeting to confirm that the general approach was in line with the expectations of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure prior to community consultation.
A meeting was arranged with the Department to discuss the document and its detail.
August 2009 - IMETT Project Makes Good Progress with EIS
IMETT continues to make good progress on the Environmental Impact Statement despite the challenges of the past year. These included the Global Economic Crisis, Swine Flu, and a State Election in Queensland together with the associated re-shuffle of Cabinet Ministers and the Public Service.
Understandably for a project of this size, the Terms of Reference for the Environmental Impact Statement were comprehensive, which has involved considerable activity behind the scenes.
Ongoing discussion and negotiations with Government agencies continue on a regular basis, and IMETT is hopeful that the Environmental Impact Statement may be lodged for initial review in the not-to-distant future.
IMETT thanks its many supporters for their continued interest and support during this time.
July 2009 - Government Releases South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031
The Queensland State Government released the updated South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 on 28th July 2009. The Plan provides a comprehensive overview of the planning intentions for the South East Queensland Region for the period 2009-2031. Whilst the Plan does not specifically mention individual projects such as the IMETT Project, it does lay out the framework for development planning that will assist IMETT in the completion of its Environmental Impact Statement, and the subsequent development if approved.
To view the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 document, visit:
http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/seqregionalplan
July 2009 Government Releases North East Gold Coast Study
The Queensland State Government released the North East Gold Coast Study – land use, economic and infrastructure strategy on 28th July 2009. The Study provides a comprehensive overview of the future planning options for the North East Gold Coast area (also known as the Rocky Point district). The Study does not include the IMETT project however. As noted in footnote 4 at the bottom of page 27, the Study’s comments on “Community motor sport activities do not include the IMETT (integrated motorsport, education, tourism and technology) proposal, which is subject to a separate investigation and assessment.”
To view the North East Gold Coast Study – land use, economic and infrastructure strategy, visit:
http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/regional-planning/north-east-gold-coast-study.html
October 2008 Channel
Seven Flashback Segment to Include IMETT Project
The IMETT Project
will be included in the weekly Flashback segment
on the 6.00pm News on Channel Seven in Brisbane
this Sunday 26th October 2008. This week’s
Flashback will feature a story on the 1954 Australian
Grand Prix conducted on a temporary street at
Southport, and will finish with a brief overview
of the proposed IMETT Project at Norwell on the
northern Gold Coast.
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FLASH SOUTHPORT.asf
October 2008 Government
Finalises Terms of Reference
The Queensland
Department of Infrastructure and Planning has
finalised the Terms of Reference for the Environmental
Impact Statement for the IMETT Project following
a period of public consultation.
To view the Terms of Reference document, visit:
http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/projects/tourism-arts-and-recreation/IMETT-project.html
June 2008 Public Comment
Sought for Draft Terms of Reference
The State Government
has begun the environmental assessment process
for the proposed $650 million motor racing, tourism
and technology complex at Gilberton, near Ormeau.
For more information visit:
http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/projects/tourism-arts-and-recreation/IMETT-project.html
February 2008 IMETT approved
as ‘Significant Project’
The State Government of Queensland has approved
IMETT as a ‘significant project’.
This was declared by the Co-ordinator General
on 11 February 2008, and will be substantiated
by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and
Master Planning documentation. The approval was
given based on the Initial Advice Statement previously
presented to Government. IMETT is delighted by
the progress of the project.
August 2007 CSIRO Study
Considers Future Options for Rocky Point Cane
Lands
A CSIRO study, “Future Use of the Rocky
Point Cane Landscapes”, was released in
August 2007. In their report, CSIRO researchers
have evaluated a wide range of alternative rural
land use options for the future of the Rocky Point
Cane Lands. Read what they have to say about the
alternatives facing future rural activities in
the area, given the difficulties facing the sugar
industry.
For more information visit:
http://www.csiro.au/resources/RockyPointLanduseReport.html
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