Coal mining and power generation, near Mt Lesueur

Over the last two years, consideration of options for power supply in Western Australia has led to public debate over the type and extent of new generating plant required. The Environmental Protection Authority has commented on the general energy supply question and attendant issues in a report on the proposed Collie Power Station (Environmernal Protection Authority Bulletin 472).

A private power generation option was proposed near Mount Lesueur, in an area previously proposed for nature conservation, as one option to provide this supply. This option was not selected by SECWA on economic grounds, and the proponent has sought suspension of environmental assessment. Due to the level of public interest in the conservation issue at Mount Lesueur, the Environmental Protection Authority has decided to provide a report to the Minister for the Environment on the implications of coal mining and power generation in the Lesueur area.