The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has recommended environmental approval for construction of the 120km Eliwana Railway project, subject to certain conditions including the protection of significant Aboriginal heritage sites.
It follows extensive consultation with the Eastern Guruma traditional owners as part of a public review process for the EPA’s assessment of impacts on environmental and social values.
The four-week public review was extended for key stakeholders at the request of Native Title holders for particular consideration of Aboriginal heritage sites within the proposed 38,199 hectare (ha) footprint for the development by Fortescue Metals Group, to link the proposed Eliwana iron-ore mine to the rail network at the Solomon Hub mine, north-west of Tom Price.
Conditions recommended by the EPA include the protection and monitoring of predicted impacts on places of recognised Aboriginal cultural heritage – such as the Nharraminju Wuntu Rock Art Precinct and Kumpanha Dancing Grounds – as well as native vegetation and fauna.
“The expanded consultation with indigenous owners and the proponent, which was made possible as a result of the EPA’s public review process, resulted in a revised railway alignment to minimise direct and indirect impacts to cultural sites, including noise and visual impacts,” said EPA Chair Dr Tom Hatton.
The EPA also recommended the proponent be required to contribute to an approved fund to offset up to 3,690 ha of native vegetation clearing, including up to 40 ha within the Themeda Grasslands on Cracking Clays Threatened Ecological Community (TEC).
“The EPA assessment process determined environmental impacts on up to 40 ha of the Themeda Grasslands on Cracking Clays TEC are manageable with ongoing monitoring,” said Dr Hatton.
The EPA’s report to the Minister for Environment is now open for a two-week public appeal period, closing 14 May 2019. Appeals can be made at www.appealsconvenor.wa.gov.au
The Minister for Environment will make the final decision.
EPA Report 1633 is available here.
EPA Media Contact: Vivienne Ryan on 0400 866 450
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