A proposal to construct and operate a solar power system to supply the town of Broome will not be assessed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
EPA Chair Darren Walsh said today the EPA had published its decision not to assess the Horizon Power project under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act).
“After considering public submissions and conducting a preliminary investigation, we consider that the likely environmental effects of the proposal are not so significant to warrant formal assessment by the EPA,” Mr Walsh said.
“This doesn’t mean environmental impacts of the project won’t be considered at all, merely that they will be mitigated and licensed through other statutory decision-making processes.”
The proposal comprises four-metre-tall solar panels up to 90MW, battery energy storage systems, and a 16km transmission line from a site about 10km north of Broome. The network connection route would follow the Broome Cape Leveque Road, Broome Highway, Old Broome Road and Fredrick Street to the existing substation in town.
The determination not to assess, published today on the EPA website, stated that the vegetation types within the proposal area were typical and widespread within the region and there were no threatened flora species within the development envelope.
“This means that the types of impacts associated with the clearing of native vegetation can be regulated under Part V of the EP Act,” Mr Walsh added.
The decision by the independent EPA also noted that while there were no registered Aboriginal heritage sites within the development envelope, the proponent had engaged with the Yawuru Aboriginal Corporation traditional owners and would establish a Heritage Protection Agreement with them. And if any Aboriginal heritage sites are identified, the potential impact could be assessed and regulated under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
EPA Media Contact: Jenni.Storey@dwer.wa.gov.au; 0434 734 997
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