Moreton Bay sand extraction

Background
Future sand extraction in Moreton Bay
Available documents

Background

The northern tidal delta of the Bay contains extensive deposits of sand, which have been estimated at around 3,770 million cubic metres.

Sand extraction has occurred in Moreton Bay for over 25 years to supply fine sand for use in the construction industry and as fill for major infrastructure projects.

The demand for Moreton Bay sand is likely to increase over the short to medium-term due to increases in demand for the construction sector, and for expansions of Brisbane's airport, seaport and other developments within the Australia TradeCoast area. While these demands will contribute substantial economic wealth to the South East Queensland region and are historically significant, their total expected requirement for sand represents less than 2% of the available resource.

Existing licensed land-based sand extraction operations have limited potential to meet future demand and the prospects for developing new extractive sites in the region are considered to be poor. The prospect of developing further land-based extraction sites in SEQ would lead to increasingly undesirable environmental, economic and community impacts.

Environmental, nuisance and other impacts of significantly expanding land-based extraction range from safety and amenity issues surrounding heavy haulage routes to noise problems due to quarries close to suburban residences, and impacts on remaining forest habitats which overlay many remaining quarry resources.

Future sand extraction in Moreton Bay

In order to provide a sound base for to deciding how future sand extraction proposals in northern Moreton Bay should be considered, the State Government initiated the Moreton Bay Sand Extraction Study. This study examined the environmental, social and economic impacts of increasing sand extraction from the Bay and explored possible alternative sources of fine sand. The research findings were compiled into individual reports and have been summarised in the Moreton Bay Sand Extraction Study: Summary of Findings.

From a total available sand resource in Moreton Bay, of approximately 3,770 million cubic metres, the Government has made a decision that over the next 20 years it will support:

Extraction of up to 40 million cubic metres of sand for development of Australia TradeCoast projects, including for the expansion of the Brisbane Airport and the Port of Brisbane.
Extraction of up to 20 million cubic metres of sand for use within the construction sector.
Locating the majority of future sand extraction to supplement a major shipping channel straightening project in the northern part of Moreton Bay. In addition to sand extraction to supplement channel straightening, increased sand extraction will be allowed in the Middle Banks area of the Bay (subject to environmental impact assessment) - with priority to be given to the Brisbane Airport Corporation.

Access to the studies and the summary report is available from the links below. A CD-ROM containing these documents can be obtained free of charge by emailing your name and address details to coastal.support@epa.qld.gov.au. Any comments or questions you may have regarding future sand extraction in Moreton Bay can also be emailed to this address.