Mid West Aquaculture Zone ProjectProponent: Department of FisheriesProposal description: The Department of Fisheries, on behalf of the Minister for Fisheries proposes to create an ‘Aquaculture Development Zone’ to provide a management precinct for prospective future aquaculture proposals within State Waters, approximately 75 kilometres west of Geraldton within the Fish Habitat Protection Area of the Abrolhos Islands. The strategic proposal area has been selected by the proponent to maximise suitability for marine finfish aquaculture, and minimise potential impacts on existing marine communities and disruption to existing human use. The strategic proposal, also known as the Mid West Aquaculture Development Zone (MWADZ), is proposed to encompass an area of 3,000 hectares (ha) within the identified 5,200 ha study site. The study site comprises two areas: a 4400 ha area located in Middle Channel, between the Easter Group and Wallabi Group; and a 800 ha study area located in Zeewijk Channel, between Pelsaert Group and Easter Group of the Abrolhos Islands. Assessment Number: 1972Region: Mid WestReferred under EP Act: s38Industry sector: AquacultureLast updated: July 17, 2017Related EPA Media Statement: EPA recommends approval for new Mid West aquaculture zoneCurrent Status: Ministerial Statement published 1. ReferralComment on this referral: Mid West Aquaculture Zone (waters adjacent to the Shire of Northampton) Comment period: Wednesday, 1 May, 2013 to Tuesday, 7 May, 2013Referral documentation: Referral form Referral background information Map of study areas 2. Decision on whether to assess this proposalChair's Determination: Assess - Public Environmental ReviewExtract of determination: 1972-ChairDets-130513.pdfPreliminary Environmental Factors: Benthic Communities and HabitatsMarine Environmental QualityMarine FaunaDate published: Monday, 13 May, 2013 3. AssessmentScopingEnvironmental scoping document: Mid West Aquaculture Development ZoneApproved: Wednesday, 24 July, 2013 Environmental ReviewPublic submissions: Monday, 18 July, 2016 to Monday, 15 August, 2016Make a submission: Public Environmental Review - Mid West Aquaculture Development Zone Environmental Review documentation: MWADZ Public Environmental Review Appendix 1 - Modelling and technical studies Appendix 1A - Marine mammals EIA Appendix 1B - Endangered threatened protected species risk assessment Appendix 1C - Invertebrate and finfish species and fisheries risk assessment Appendix 1D - Seabirds EIA Appendix 1E - Peer review EIA Appendix 1F - Hydro model calibration EIA Appendix 1G - Diagenesis calibration EIA Appendix 2 - Environmental monitoring and management plan EMMP Appendix 2A - Map of sampling site co-ordinates EMMP Appendix 2B - Control charting EMMP Appendix 3 - Draft management policy Appendix 4 - Biosecurity risk assessment Appendix 5 - Marine fauna interaction management plan Appendix 6 - Waste management plan Appendix 7 - Environmental scoping document Appendix 8 - Environmental impact assessment checklistProponent response to submissions: Summary of submissions and proponent’s response to submissions 4. EPA Report on assessmentEPA Report Number: 1593EPA Report: Mid West Aquaculture Development ZoneKey Environmental Factors: Benthic Communities and HabitatsMarine Environmental QualityMarine FaunaDate published: Monday, 3 April, 2017Appeals close: Tuesday, 18 April, 2017 5. Decision on proposal and implementation of proposalMinisterial StatementDate of approval: Monday, 17 July, 2017Ministerial Statement: Ministerial Statement 1058 Derived proposalsDerived proposal 1Proponent: Huon Aquaculture Company Pty LtdSummary: The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) at its meeting 1144 dated 17 September 2020, declared the Huon Aquaculture Yellowtail Kingfish Aquaculture Development to be a derived proposal in accordance with section 39B of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act). A Notice has been issued by the Minister for Environment under s45A of the EP Act, in relation to the Huon Aquaculture Yellowtail Kingfish Aquaculture Development proposal. The implementation agreement previously made in relation to the derived proposal has taken effect on 2 October 2020. Implementation Conditions 1 to 7 of Statement No. 1058 published 17 July 2017 apply to this Derived Proposal. Seven-day comment on derived proposal request: https://consultation.epa.wa.gov.au/seven-day-comment-on-referrals/huon-aquaculture-project-derived-proposal/ Date of approval: Friday, 2 October, 2020Derived Proposal File: MWADZ Derived Proposal 1 EPA s39B Notice.pdf MWADZ Derived Proposal 1 s39B public record.pdf MWADZ Derived Proposal 1 Statement of Reasons.pdf Mid West Aquaculture Development Zone S45A Notice 1.pdf
