The Environmental Protection Authority has provided advice and recommendations to the Minister for the Environment on a proposal by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd for the development of the Voyager Quarry in The Lakes.

The proposal includes clearing of 85 hectares of vegetation, the excavation of up to 2 million tonnes of gravel, about 12 million tonnes of clay and approximately 60 million tonnes of granite using conventional drilling and blasting, loading and hauling, crushing and screening methods. The project will have a life span of approximately 50 years.

EPA Chairman Dr Wally Cox said that it was unlikely that the EPA's objectives would be compromised provided there was satisfactory implementation by the proponent of their commitments and the recommended conditions.

"The project's development will occur in stages with excavation of the topsoil and subsoil occurring on six occasions during the life of the quarry," Dr Cox said. 

"The proponent has developed a package of environmental offsets that includes the conservation covenanting of 120 hectares of native vegetation, rehabilitation of an area of native vegetation previously cleared by the proponent, the provision of 15km of fencing materials to the Ministry of Justice to protect remnant vegetation and Wooroloo Brook and the rehabilitation of approximately 60 hectares of gravel pits and other degraded lands managed by Local and State Government agencies.

"The proposed covenanting and fencing of bushland on the proponent's property should be in effect before any land clearing or excavation works take place.

"Significant impacts on listed threatened fauna species appear unlikely due to the restricted area of impact of the proposal. 

"However, the EPA has recommended a condition requiring native wildlife species to be translocated to other suitable habitat.

"In addition, information collected to date indicates that a local trap door spider may be a new species which may be threatened by the construction of the quarry.

"As a result the EPA has recommended a condition requiring further research and investigation on the trapdoor spider and the preparation and implementation of a Trapdoor Spider Translocation Programme."

"To lessen impacts on neighbouring properties from quarry activities all infrastructure, crushing and screening plants and product stockpiles will be housed below ground level, and the site will be surrounded by a buffer of trees and vegetation."

A large number of submissions was received on possible dust impacts from quarry operations. The proponent has committed to managing dust throughout the life of the operation through a variety of means.

In addition, the EPA has recommended a specific condition requiring dust monitoring and remedial action if excess levels of dust are recorded.

Dr Cox said that a number of submissions were also made about possible impacts on ground and surface water.

"The EPA believes that aside from marginal reductions of groundwater levels in the immediate vicinity of the quarry, there are unlikely to be any significant environmental impacts on ground or surface water as a result of the development of the site," Dr Cox said.

"However, as a precautionary measure, a condition has been recommended requiring the proponent to prepare and implement a Ground and Surface Water Monitoring Programme."

To address possible noise impacts conditions have been recommended that require the proponent to:

• prepare and implement an Operational Noise Measurement Programme;
• meet specific ground-vibration levels associated with blasting and incorporating monitoring requirements for vibration; and
• prepare and implement an Area Specific Noise Management Plan for each of the six proposed stages of vegetation clearing and site preparation.

"One of the key aspects associated with the environmental performance of any operation is the issue of ongoing community consultation with this in mind a community consultation group has been set up under an independent Chair," Dr Cox said.

The management of flyrock will be addressed through the provisions of mine safety legislation, administered by the Department of Industry and Resources, as well as the Local Government Authority's Extractive Industries Licence.

The proponent will also be required to apply for a Works Approval and Licence for this project under the provisions of Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. These approvals, where granted, will also be subject to a number of legally-binding conditions relating to the protection of the environment.

The EPA's report is subject to appeal until close of business Tuesday 10 May 2005 and available at www.epa.wa.gov.au.

Appeals are considered by the independent Appeals Convenor (9220 5072). The Convenor prepares a report for the Minister for Environment on any appeals that may be received. The Minister then takes into consideration both the EPA's and the Convenor's report when making her final decision on any proposal. 

The EPA is a five person board providing independent overarching environmental advice to the Minister for the Environment through the preparation of environmental protection policies and the assessment of development proposals and management plans, as well as providing public statements about matters of environmental importance.

The EPA is supported by the EPA Service Unit. This Unit sits administratively within the Department of Environment but for EPA matters is under the control of the EPA.

Media contact: Charlie Maling ph 9222 7062 or mobile 0400 866 450.