Summary: The Environmental Protection Authority EPA has set an Environmental Protection Statement EPS level of assessment and released its recommendations on a proposal by Western Stevedores Pty Ltd to expand facilities at the Dampier Public Wharf.
Release Date: 18 February 2002
Details: The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has set an Environmental Protection Statement (EPS) level of assessment and released its recommendations on a proposal by Western Stevedores Pty Ltd to expand facilities at the Dampier Public Wharf.
The key components of the proposal are:
- construction of a 60 to 81 m long load-out facility south of the existing wharf;
- cut and fill operations to create a land backing to the facility (1.9 ha, of which 0.8 ha is reclaimed land); and
- quarrying of a 4.1 ha cargo lay-down and storage area.
EPA Chairman, Bernard Bowen, said the Authority considered the proposal could be managed in an environmentally acceptable manner subject to the proponent's commitments being made legally binding as environmental conditions.
"During the preparation of the EPS, Western Stevedores consulted with Government agencies and companies with a direct interest in the project and with other key stakeholders," Mr Bowen said.
"Consultation was also undertaken with the local community via a press release made to the local paper inviting comment.
"Comments received and the proponent's responses are included in Section 5 of the proponent's EPS document released at the same time as the EPA's report.
"As a result of issues raised during consultation, the extent of the proposal was substantially scaled back with the proponent withdrawing construction of a 7.8 ha rock ballast storage area.
"This has approximately halved the area of land disturbance reducing the impact on significant flora species and vegetation types.
The EPS level of assessment and the EPA's report on Western Stevedore's proposal are subject to appeal until close of business Monday 4 March 2002.
Media contact: Charlie Maling ph 9222 7062 or mobile 0400 866 450.
Status: Final
Appeals close