Bylong Coal Project

The Situation

KEPCO Bylong Australia Pty Ltd (KEPCO) proposes to develop the Bylong Coal Project (the Project), located approximately 55 km north-east of Mudgee and 53 km from Denman. In 2014, KEPCO appointed WorleyParsons and Advisian to manage the Project on its behalf. 

The Project proposes to mine up to 6.5 million tonnes of run of mine coal per annum for supply to the thermal coal export market. The mine will include two open-cut mining areas and an underground mining area. Subject to government approvals, construction is proposed to commence in early 2018. 

The Project life is approximately 25 years comprising a two year construction period and 23 year operational period. Coal will be transported from the project site to the Port of Newcastle via rail. This will require the construction of a rail loop connecting to the existing Sandy Hollow to Gulgong Line which runs through the site.

Approach

As the project managers, WorleyParsons and Advisian are facilitating KEPCO in the delivery of the project’s exploration activities, environmental approvals and ongoing environmental monitoring. WorleyParsons’ and Advisian’s responsibilities include farm management, land access, community relations and external affairs. 

WorleyParsons is facilitating KEPCO in preparing EPC tender documentation, evaluating tenders, appointing and overseeing the EPC contractor and the appointment of the mine service contractor. WorleyParsons is further accountable for the management of Project risk, coal titles, High Voltage electricity supply - including approvals, design, construction, and securing train, rail and port capacity.

KEPCO appointed Advisian to manage the delivery of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS was prepared in accordance with the Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements issued by NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DP&E) in June 2014. The Project was also referred to the Australian Government Department of the Environment and declared a ‘controlled action’ in early 2014. 

The Project was referred to the Australian Government Department of the Environment and declared a ‘controlled action’ in early 2014.

Subsequently, the project is required to assess Matters of National Environmental Significance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.The EIS is supported by a suite of robust technical studies, coupled with an extensive community and stakeholder engagement programme. 

Technical studies completed as part of the EIS include:

• Subsidence Impact Assessment

• Archaeological Assessment for Historical Burials

• Historic Heritage Impact Assessment

• Aboriginal Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment

• Soils, Land Capability and Strategic Agricultural Land Assessment

• Rehabilitation Strategy and Biophysical Strategic Agricultural Land Reinstatement Plan

• Biodiversity Offsets Strategy

• Ecological Impact Assessment

• Groundwater Impact Assessment

• Surface Water Impact Assessment

• Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Impact Assessment

• Noise and Blasting Impact Assessment

• Agricultural Impact Statement

• Visual Impact Assessment

• Traffic and Transport Impact Assessment

• Stygofauna Impact Assessment

• Geochemical Impact Assessment

• Social Impact Assessment

• Economics Impact Assessment

• Contamination Impact Assessment

• Preliminary Hazard Analysis.

 We’re also managing the delivery of approvals to support the upgrade of a transmission line and exploration activities, including the preparation of Review of Environmental Factors.

Our social consulting team acts on behalf of KEPCO for all community and engagement activities, and has been responsible for managing social and stakeholder performance, including government relations and public participation. Additionally, our team manages the project’s community investment programme, local content initiatives and Indigenous participation plan, as well as all interactions with stakeholders. 

Our team has prepared comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategies and has undertaken extensive engagement with Indigenous, community, landholder and government stakeholders. Advisian has also been responsible for developing all communication materials for the project, including the project website, community newsletters, fact sheets and poster displays, and has facilitated briefings, meetings, and community information sessions. We also manage the project hotline and mailbox. 

 Please visit the Project website for further information – BylongProject.com.au