Data as at 14 September 2026 · from the Queensland EP Act public register
EPPR00926513 · RTA YARWUN PTY LTD
Minerals environmental authority EPPR00926513 (RTA YARWUN PTY LTD), Granted. 64 conditions indexed. No PRC plan.
- Status
- Granted
- Holders
- RTA YARWUN PTY LTD
- PRC plan
- None
- How it was read
- Numbered conditions
- Register
- Register record · Instrument PDF
Conditions
64 numbered conditions read from the current instrument. Page numbers link into the register PDF.
- G1
In carrying out the activities, all reasonable and practicable measures must be taken to prevent and/or to minimise the likelihood of environmental harm.
- G2
Maintenance of measures, plant and equipment The holder must: (a) install all measures, plant and equipment necessary to ensure compliance with the conditions of this environmental authority; (b) maintain such measures, plant and equipment in a proper and efficient condition; and (c) operate such measures, plant and equipment in a proper and efficient manner.
- G3
Records The holder must record, compile and keep all monitoring results and reports required by this environmental authority and present any monitoring results or reports to the administering authority when requested, including in an electronic form if requested.
- G4
All records required by this environmental authority must be kept for at least five (5) years unless otherwise stated in this environmental authority.
- G5
Environmental Management System An Environmental Management System (EMS), that includes all the requirements of and conforms with AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management Systems - requirements with guidance for use) or more recent versions must be implemented that provides for the effective management of the actual and potential environmental impacts resulting from the carrying out of the activities. Documentation relating to the EMS must be kept.
- G6
The holder must not implement or amend an EMS (including any associated environmental plan) in a manner that contravenes any condition of this environmental authority.
- G7
Notification The holder must notify the administering authority by telephone as soon as practicable, but within twelve (12) hours of becoming aware, of any emergency, event or incident which may: (a) result in the release of contaminants not in accordance with, or reasonably expected not to be in accordance with, the conditions of this environmental authority; and (b) have the potential to cause material or serious environmental harm. Note: The Pollution Hotline is the most appropriate after-hours contact.
- G8
All other releases of contaminants not in accordance or reasonably expected not to be in accordance with the conditions of this environmental authority must be reported to the administering authority within twenty-four (24) hours or the next business day (of becoming aware of the release not being in accordance or reasonably expected to not be in accordance with the conditions of this environmental authority).
- G9
Condition no longer required.
- G10
Monthly compliance report A monthly compliance report outlining the following must be submitted the administering authority within twenty (20) business days of the end of each month; (a) the date and time of initial notifications reported to the administering authority as required by (G7) and G8); Permit Environmental Authority (b) complaint information as required by condition (C1) received in the month; (c) a summary of the month's non-compliances with the environmental authority including written advice detailing the below information regarding any notification in accordance with condition (G7) and (G8): i. the name of the holder of the environmental authority and the environmental authority number; ii. the name and telephone number of a designated contact person; iii. the location of the release/event; iv. the time and date of the release/event; v. the time the holder became aware of the release/event; vi. the suspected cause of the release/event; vii. details of the approximate quantity of substance released; viii. details of the area/location of impacted by the release/event; ix. a description of the resulting effects of the release/event; x. the results of any sampling performed in relation to the release/event; xi. actions taken to mitigate any environmental harm (including environmental nuisance) caused by the release/event; and xii. proposed actions to prevent a recurrence of the release/event.
- G11
Monitoring A competent person(s) must conduct any monitoring required by this environmental authority.
- G12
Equipment calibration All instruments, equipment and measuring devices used for measuring or monitoring in accordance with any condition of this environmental authority must be calibrated, and appropriately operated and maintained.
- G13
Records must be kept of calibration data for all instruments, equipment and measuring devices used for measuring or monitoring in accordance with any condition of this environmental authority and submitted to the administrating authority when requested.
- G14
Trained and experienced operator(s) All persons engaged in the conduct of the activities, including but not limited to employee(s) and contract staff must: (a) be trained in the procedures and practices necessary to: i. comply with the conditions of this environmental authority; and ii. prevent environmental harm during normal operation and emergencies; (b) be under the close supervision of a trained person as required in (G14)(a); and (c) maintain records of training required by this condition.
- G15
The holder must develop a dispersion model and apply the modelling to any air emission incident that the holder reasonably considers (based on available information) may have caused, or has the potential to cause, serious or material environmental harm beyond the site boundary. The: (a) modelling must have the capacity to report within two (2) hours of an incident; and (b) modelling report must be made available to the administering authority within two (2) hours of the model results being available. Permit Environmental Authority
- G16
Third Party Environmental Auditing Compliance with conditions of this environmental authority must be audited within forty (40) days of completion of commissioning and every three (3) years thereafter and for the EMS required by condition (G5) must be audited within six (6) months of the date of this environmental authority and every three (3) years thereafter.
- G17
The audit(s) required by condition (G16) must be conducted by a suitably qualified third party auditor, nominated by the holder and accepted by the administering authority.
- G18
For the audit(s) required by condition (G16) the holder must submit a final version of the auditor's report to the administering authority within fourteen (14) days of receiving the audit report. The report must be accompanied by a statutory declaration from the auditor, stating that the report accurately represents the findings of the auditor and that the report has been prepared independently of the holder and is the independently held opinion of the auditor.
- G19
The total financial cost of the audit(s) required in condition (G16) will be the responsibility of the holder.
- G20
The holder must within a reasonable period of time agreed to in writing by the administering authority take steps to respond to any recommendations arising from the audit report, including: (a) investigating any non-compliance issues identified; (b) as soon as practicable, implementing measures or taking necessary action to ensure compliance with the environmental authority; and (c) provide written advice to the administering authority regarding the above.
- G21
Scale and intensity of use of the activities The scale of the alumina refinery and associated ERA(s) authorised under this environmental authority is that scale and intensity indicated in the application information titled "RTA Yarwun Pty Ltd - Supporting Information for a MCU ERA development permit application - Environment report for expansion of the refinery dated February 2012, GHD" and the production of not more than 4.0 million tonnes of alumina per year.
- G22
The holder is authorised to undertake a trial for the co-firing of biomass as an alternative fuel source with coal in Boiler 1, 2 or 3, over a 4-week period provided that: (a) Each trial is undertaken in compliance with conditions of this environmental authority. (b) In any 24-hour period, no more than 20% by weight of biomass with coal is used. (c) In any calendar year, no more than 10% biomass by weight of biomass with coal is used. (d) Total solid particulates, sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide are monitored such that an average of the preceding 24 hours is available. (e) Records are maintained for: a) Type of biomass. b) Date of receipt of biomass on site. c) Mass/volume of biomass. d) Details of analysis conducted on the biomass prior to receipt on site. e) Details of boiler conditions. f) Results of stack emission testing and fly ash testing: g) At the time of sampling in accordance with Schedule 3, Air - Table 2 (Contaminants release limits to air): i. Plant throughput; Permit Environmental Authority ii. Steam generation; iii. Ambient temperature; iv. Coal characteristic sampling; and v. Reference to test methods and accuracies h) Any other records required to demonstrate performance of the trial or compliance with conditions of this environmental authority
- G23
A post-trial report must be prepared and certified by an appropriately qualified person no later than 90 business days after the completion of the co-firing trial and include: (a) A description of the trial process including boiler operating conditions during the co-firing trial. (b) Type and total quantity of biomass processed during the co-firing trial. (c) Records of the biomass feed rate and percent composition blend with coal. (d) A summary of continuous stack monitoring results. (e) Results of stack emission testing required by Schedule 3, Air - Table 2 (Contaminants release limits to air). (f) Presentation of the concentrations at standard temperature and pressure, and provide the mass emission rate, exit velocity, volume flow rate and temperature at exit. (g) A comparison of the air emissions throughout the co-firing trial with the target limits in Schedule 3, Air - Table 2 (Contaminants release limits to air). (h) A summary of any complaints, enquiries or incidents during the trial that may be related to the conduct of the trial and any investigations undertaken. (i) An assessment of all monitoring results including verification that the co-firing trial was carried out in compliance with the conditions of this environmental authority. (j) Presentation and an assessment of the overall effectiveness of the trial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- G24
The holder is authorised to undertake a trial for the substitution of hydrogen as a fuel in Calciner 1 (C1), over a 2-year period, provided that: (a) The trial is undertaken in compliance with conditions of this environmental authority with the exception of the limit for Oxides of Nitrogen specified in Schedule 3, Air - Table 2 (Contaminants release limits to air). (b) The use of 4 tonnes of hydrogen in Calciner 1 occurs no more than every 4 days. (c) At least one chemical analysis of the stack emissions (calciner and boiler) is performed at representative Hydrogen Calcination trial operating conditions to determine concentrations of all relevant contaminants including, but not limited to: Total Suspended Particulates (TSP), PM10, PM2.5, NOx, SOx, CO, CO2, and volatile organic compounds including formaldehyde and BTEX where detectable. (d) Records are maintained for: i. Date/time of hydrogen use; ii. Mass/volume of hydrogen use; iii. Results of stack emission testing iv. At the time of sampling records of the below must be kept: 1. Calciner 1 throughput; 2. Hydrogen and natural gas input; 3. Ambient temperature; Permit Environmental Authority 4. Oxygen enrichment; and, 5. Reference to test methods and accuracies (e) Progress reports are provided to the administering authority on a quarterly basis that report on the previous quarters trials and provide: i. A summary of trials completed during the quarter; ii. A summary of stack emission tests completed; iii. A summary of results and analysis of stack emission testing; iv. Analysis of stack emission results for Oxides of Nitrogen and any correlations to the dry limit for Oxides of Nitrogen specified in Schedule 3, Air - Table 2 (Contaminants release limits to air); v. Measurements of Oxides of Nitrogen concentrations and comparison to baseline conditions; vi. Proposed operational adjustments required for effectiveness of future trials.
- G25
A post-trial report must be prepared and certified by an appropriately qualified person no later than 90 business days after the completion of the hydrogen trial and include: (a) A description of the trial process including Calciner 1 operating conditions during each trial; (b) Type and total quantity of hydrogen processed during each trial; (c) Records of the hydrogen and the natural gas feed rates; (d) Results of stack emission testing for Oxides of Nitrogen; (e) Analysis of stack emission results for Oxides of Nitrogen and any correlations to the dry limit for Oxides of Nitrogen specified in Schedule 3, Air - Table 2 (Contaminants release limits to air); (f) Measurements of Oxides of Nitrogen concentrations and comparison to baseline conditions; (g) Present the concentrations at standard temperature and pressure, and provide the mass emission rate, exit velocity, volume flow rate and temperature at exit; (h) A comparison of the air emissions throughout the 2-year period with the 2-year period on natural gas operation prior to trials commencing and a comparison to Calciner 2 (equivalent unmodified calciner) operation for the given 2-year period. Stack emissions from boiler stack must be included in comparison; (i) Operational adjustments required for effectiveness of the trial, including in the management of Oxides of Nitrogen emissions; (j) A summary of any complaints, enquiries or incidents during the trial that may be related to the conduct of the trial and any investigations undertaken; (k) An assessment of all monitoring results including verification that the co-firing trial was carried out in compliance with the conditions of this environmental authority; (l) Presentation of the overall effectiveness of the trial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and (m) Total operating hours of the temporary steam boiler and total diesel consumed during the trial period. Permit Environmental Authority Schedule N - Acoustic
- N1
Noise release All noise from the activities must not exceed an LAeq, adj, 1 hour value of 43 dB(A), when measured outside at any nuisance sensitive place other than those located on Lot 11 plan SP108408 and Lot 1 plan MPH32292.
- N2
If the outside measured noise from activities exceeds an LAeq, adj, 1 hour value of 44 dB(A), and noise complaints are received from residents at a nuisance sensitive place located on Lot 11 plan SP108408 and Lot 1 plan MPH32292, then remedial measures must be taken that are acceptable to those residents, or noise attenuation measures must be installed, to reduce measured noise levels at the relevant nuisance sensitive place(s) to a maximum LAeq, adj, 1 hour value of 44 dB(A).
- N3
Noise monitoring When requested by the administering authority, noise monitoring must be undertaken within a reasonable and practicable timeframe nominated by the administering authority to investigate any complaint (which is neither frivolous nor vexatious nor based on mistaken belief in the opinion of the authorised officer) of environmental nuisance at any sensitive or commercial place, and the results must be notified within fourteen (14) days to the administering authority following completion of monitoring. Monitoring must include: (a) airblast overpressure (dB (Lin) Peak)-when relevant; (b) LAeq, adj, 1 hour; (c) LA1, adj,1 hour; (d) the level and frequency of occurrence of any impulsive or tonal noise from the activities; (e) atmospheric conditions including wind speed and direction and atmospheric stability; (f) if there were any effects due to extraneous factors such as traffic noise; (g) location, date and time of recording; and (h) location of complainant (if relevant).
- N4
The method of measurement and reporting of noise levels must comply with the latest edition of the administering authority's Noise Measurement Manual.
- N5
Blasting A person must not conduct blasting if: (a) the airblast overpressure is more than 115dB Z Peak for 4 out of any 5 consecutive blasts; (b) the airblast overpressure is more than 120dB Z Peak for any blast; (c) the ground vibration is: i. for vibrations of more than 35Hz--more than 25mm a second ground vibration, peak particle velocity; or ii. for vibrations of no more than 35Hz--more than 10mm a second ground vibration, peak particle velocity.
- N6
Within 5km of a nuisance sensitive place when blasting is carried out, a monitoring program must be implemented to measure air blast overpressure & vibration and when requested by the administering authority, airblast overpressure & vibration monitoring and recording must be undertaken to investigate any complaint of nuisance. Permit Environmental Authority Schedule A - Air
- A1
Weather Monitoring Program A weather monitoring station must continually measure and record the following meteorological parameters: (a) air temperature; (b) relative humidity; (c) wind direction; (d) wind speed; and (e) rainfall.
- A2
Releases to the atmosphere Contaminants must only be released to the atmosphere from the release points and in compliance with the limits identified in Schedule 3, Air - Table 1 (Source description).
- A3
Contaminants must not be released to the atmosphere at a concentration or a mass emission rate calculated over the averaging period, as measured at a monitoring point, in excess of that stated in Schedule 3, Air - Table 2 (Contaminants release limits to air), with the exception of: (a) a cogeneration exemption, relating to oxides of nitrogen; and (b) a boiler exemption, relating to sulphur dioxide.
- A4
Contaminants must be monitored not less frequently than as set out in Schedule 3, Air - Table 3 (Required release point determinations).
- A5
Complaint monitoring When requested by the administering authority, monitoring must be undertaken to investigate any dust, particulate matter, odour or other noxious/offensive environmental complaint of environmental nuisance caused by a release to the atmosphere from the site at any sensitive receptor. The request may outline: (a) when the monitoring must be commenced; (b) the duration of the monitoring; (c) the location of the monitoring; (d) the methods and relevant standard to be complied with; (e) any evaluation, inspection and review of potential dust, particulate matter, odour or other noxious/offensive emission sources and associated pollution control systems; (f) any review and interpretation of monitoring results; (g) any modelling required; and (h) the date the results and analysis is to be submitted to the administering authority.
- A6
If monitoring in condition (A5) indicates that environmental nuisance is caused or threatened from the activities, then the holder must as soon as practicable implement abatement measures such that the releases from the activities will not result in further environmental nuisance.
- A7
Monitoring of any releases to the atmosphere required by a condition of this environmental authority must be carried out in accordance with the following requirements: (a) all determinations must be made by a person or body registered by the NATA unless otherwise approved by the administering authority; Permit Environmental Authority (b) monitoring provisions for the release points listed in Schedule 3, Air - Table 2 (Contaminant release limits to air) must comply with the Australian Standard AS 4323.1 - 1995 'Stationary source emissions Method 1: Selection of sampling positions' (or more recent editions); (c) all determinations of contaminant releases to the atmosphere must be made in accordance with methods prescribed in the most recent version of the administering authority's Air Quality Sampling Manual or any other method approved by the administering authority; (d) samples must be taken when emissions are expected to be representative of actual operating conditions for the sample frequency period; and (e) during the sampling period, the following additional information must be gathered: i. process plant production rate at the time of sampling and detailed commentary on the stability and phasing of the processes leading up to (at least 24 hours) and through the time of sampling; and ii. raw materials used; and iii. production rates for the frequency period; and iv. any other factors that may influence air emissions (e.g. changes to auxiliary air supplies).
- A8
Fuel burning The burning of fuel is authorised where it complies with the following: (a) emissions to air must comply with all other applicable conditions of this environmental authority; and (b) the only fuel to be burnt-- i. for gas turbines, including any co-generation plant, is natural gas; and ii. for the temporary steam boiler associated with the Hydrogen Calcination trial, is diesel.
- A9
Air Pollution Control Systems The holder must maintain a current inventory of design data and maintenance requirements, including maintenance history for all air pollution control devices operated at the site.
- A10
Where pollution control systems are installed to treat exhaust gases, dust and vapours from the activities: (a) they must be maintained and operated in accordance with the manufacturer's operating instructions or manufacture's specifications; (b) for fabric filter dust collectors, replacement bags must be available and the collectors must, at all times: i. be fitted with a device (e.g. differential pressure sensor) operational to detect filter medium breakthrough installed across the boundary of the active filter bags; ii. have a monitoring system including an alarm, installed and operating to alert of filter medium breakthrough, and iii. be designed and maintained to treat flue gases at maximum rates when one cell is isolated. (c) or flue gas desulphurisation, the equipment must monitor and record parameters that indicate effective performance, for example scrubber liquor pH and scrubber liquor pump recirculation; and (d) a standby power supply system must be installed to ensure continuous operation of the air pollution control equipment.
- A11
Where monitoring of air pollution control equipment indicates impaired operational performance, standby systems must operate to ensure continuous operation of the air pollution control system or the plant Permit Environmental Authority serviced by the air pollution control systems must be safely shut down as soon as practicable, unless otherwise agreed by the administering authority.
- A12
Condition no longer required.
- A13
Condition no longer required.
- A14
Dust and particulate matter nuisance The release of dust and/or particulate matter resulting from the activities must not cause an environmental nuisance at any nuisance sensitive place.
- A15
Odour nuisance The release of noxious or offensive odour(s) or any other noxious or offensive airborne contaminant(s) resulting from the activities must not cause any environmental nuisance at any nuisance sensitive place.
- A16
The holder must when requested in writing by the administering authority contribute to the undertaking of an ambient air monitoring program in consultation with the administering authority
- A17
Condition no longer required.
- A18
The holder must conduct and document an assessment of actual ground level concentrations of sulphur dioxide released during a boiler exemption permitted under condition (A3), using the Gladstone Regional Air Monitoring Network, to ensure compliance with the relevant air quality objectives for SO2 specified in the Queensland Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 2008. Permit Environmental Authority Schedule L - Land
- C1
Complaint response The holder must record the following details for all complaints received and provide this information to the administering authority with each month's compliance report: (a) time, date, name and contact details of the complainant (when authorised by the complainant); (b) reasons for the complaint; (c) response and any investigations undertaken; (d) conclusions formed; (e) grounds for forming the conclusions; and (f) any actions taken as a result of the complaint
- C2
The holder or its representative must, when requested by the administering authority, reasonably cooperate with and participate in any community environmental liaison committee established in respect of either the site specifically, or the area where the site is located. Permit Environmental Authority Schedule W - Water
- C4
Calciner 4 60 17 130* Cogen Gas Turbine Stack 50 20 149* Notes: *Minimum efflux velocities and temperature must be achieved when operating above 80% Maximum Continuous Rating (MCR) Air - Table 2 Contaminants release limits to air Release Contaminant release Maximum concentration Maximum mass Averaging point Period release limit release limit Particulates 50mg/Nm3 (dry) 2.7g/s 24 hour rolling average Oxides of Nitrogen 500mg/Nm3 (dry) 27g/s 1 hour rolling average
- B1
1450mg/Nm3 (dry) 71g/s 1 hour rolling Sulphur Dioxide average Mercury 0.2mg/Nm3 (dry) 0.009g/s - Total volatile organic compounds 40mg/Nm3 (dry) 1.8g/s - (TVOC) as n-propane equivalent Permit Environmental Authority Release Contaminant release Maximum concentration Maximum mass Averaging point Period release limit release limit Particulates 50mg/Nm3 (dry) 2.7g/s 24 hour rolling average Oxides of Nitrogen 500mg/Nm3 (dry) 27g/s 1 hour rolling average
- B2
1450mg/Nm3 (dry) 71g/s 1 hour rolling Sulphur Dioxide average Mercury 0.2mg/Nm3 (dry) 0.009g/s - Total volatile organic compounds 40mg/Nm3 (dry) 1.8g/s - (TVOC) as n-propane equivalent Particulates 50mg/Nm3 (dry) 2.7g/s 1 hour block average
- B3
Oxides of Nitrogen 500mg/Nm3 (dry) 27g/s 1 hour rolling average Sulphur Dioxide 205mg/Nm3 (dry) 10g/s** 1 hour rolling (desulphurisation)** average Particulates 100mg/Nm3 (dry) 24 hour rolling N/A average
- C1
Oxides of Nitrogen 200mg/Nm3 (dry) 1 hour block N/A average Total volatile organic compounds 40mg/Nm3 (dry) N/A - (TVOC) as n-propane equivalent Particulates 100mg/Nm3 (dry) 24 hour rolling N/A average
- C2
Oxides of Nitrogen 200mg/Nm3 (dry) 1 hour block N/A average Total volatile organic compounds 40mg/Nm3 (dry) N/A - (TVOC) as n-propane equivalent
- C3
Particulates 100mg/Nm3 (dry) 24 hour rolling average Permit Environmental Authority Release Contaminant release Maximum concentration Maximum mass Averaging point Period release limit release limit Oxides of Nitrogen 200mg/Nm3 (dry) 1 hour block N/A average Total volatile organic compounds 40mg/Nm3 (dry) N/A - (TVOC) as n-propane equivalent Particulates 100mg/Nm3 (dry) 24 hour rolling average
- C4
Oxides of Nitrogen 200mg/Nm3 (dry) 1 hour block N/A average Total volatile organic compounds 40mg/Nm3 (dry) N/A - (TVOC) as n-propane equivalent Cogen Oxides of Nitrogen 70mg/Nm3 (dry) at 15% 27g/s* 1 hour block O2* average Notes: *The maximum concentration release limit and maximum mass release limit for the Cogen release point do not apply during a `cogeneration exemption'. **The maximum concentration release limit and maximum mass release limit for Sulphur Dioxide at the B3 release point do not apply during a `boiler exemption'. Release point Determination Required Frequency* number Continuous Particulates Continuous Continuous Oxides of Nitrogen Quarterly Quarterly
- B1
Sulphur Dioxide Continuous Continuous Mercury Continuous Total volatile organic compounds as n-propane equivalent Particulates
- B2
Oxides of Nitrogen Sulphur Dioxide Permit Environmental Authority Mercury Quarterly Total volatile organic compounds as n-propane equivalent Quarterly Particulates Annually
- B3
Oxides of Nitrogen Continuous C1
- C2
Sulphur Dioxide Continuous C3
- C4
Particulates Continuous Cogen Oxides of Nitrogen Quarterly Total volatile organic compounds as n-propane equivalent Annually (one calciner each quarter) Particulates Continuous Oxides of Nitrogen Quarterly Total volatile organic compounds as n-propane equivalent Annually (one calciner each quarter) Particulates Continuous Oxides of Nitrogen Quarterly Total volatile organic compounds as n-propane equivalent Annually (one calciner each quarter) Particulates Continuous Oxides of Nitrogen Quarterly Total volatile organic compounds as n-propane equivalent Annually (one calciner each quarter) Oxides of Nitrogen Quarterly Air - Table 3 Required release point determinations * Note: Sampling equipment must be operated at 85% of total operating capacity to allow for the performance of maintenance activities, and sampling frequency shall be subject to equipment outages for such purposes. Water - Table 1 Contaminants, sources and locations for releases to waters Permit Environmental Authority GPS locations for Release Contaminants and source Permitted Waters and release point Point locations for the release Descriptor Port Curtis via diffuser W9 at Fisherman's Landing wharf Settled neutralised process effluent, boiler Unnamed tributary of Boat 311606.000E blowdown and stormwater runoff from the Creek at the site boundary 7362966.00N Unnamed tributary of Boat