❓ Question regarding the process of reserving a portion of the Burrup Peninsula for industrial development and the rationale behind it being the only option for current project proponents. The Minister's answer details the history of planning and consultation regarding industrial development on the Burrup Peninsula.
AnsweredQoN 1073Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the minister’s comments yesterday in which he outlined the unanimous support for the projects currently planned for the Burrup Peninsula, as expressed by political representatives in Sunday’s public forum at the Burrup. As there was some disagreement about the exact location for the development, will the minister outline the process that has seen a small part of Burrup reserved for industrial development and outline why Burrup is the only choice for the current project proponents? Mr BROWN
AnswerView source ↗
I am very pleased to be able to respond to the question from the member for Kimberley who, along with you, Mr Speaker, has taken an active interest in these matters. I will quickly outline the history of the matter, and there is some history to it, because I believe it is appropriate for the House to be acquainted with it. The history of these matters goes back prior to 1992. In 1992, a multiple use plan for the Burrup was published in the Pilbara 21 final strategy report that was endorsed by the then Government. The strategy included the Burrup Peninsula zoning plan, which proposed an industrial area on the Burrup. Subsequently, in 1994 a draft version of the Burrup land use plan with a technical appendix was published for comment. The plan was prepared for the Burrup Peninsula Management Advisory Board, which is a broad stakeholder group that reported to the then Minister for Resources Development. Over 40 submissions were received for the plan, which was amended and published in its final form following endorsement by the then Government in September 1996. The former minister released the plan with a media release on 16 October 1996. In his media release, the former minister noted the likelihood of future liquid natural gas, ammonia, petrochemical, ethanol and iron ore processing plants. It also unequivocally stated that the Burrup was the only option for these developments. That is what the former minister said in 1996. Since that time and the allocation of that plan, the former minister issued other media releases. On 23 March 1999, a media release was issued in the following terms - Resources development in the State’s Pilbara region was given a boost today with the announcement by Plenty River Corporation Limited that it would complete a bankable feasibility study into an $800 million (US$500) ammonia and urea plant near Karratha. Welcoming the announcement, Western Australian Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett said abundant supplies of natural gas meant the Karratha region would see a new crop of value-added chemical industries in the future. . . . The plant, proposed for the industrial area on the Burrup Peninsula, would use natural gas from the North West Shelf. The project would create 1,000 jobs during construction and 120 permanent positions once the plant is operational. The former Minister for Resources Development issued a further media statement on 12 November 1999 that indicated that the then Western Australian Government had allocated $30 million to multi-user infrastructure on the Burrup Peninsula. It also refers to the projects that were then under consideration for the Burrup Peninsula including Plenty River Pty Ltd’s $800 million ammonia and urea plant and the Syntroleum Sweetwater Operations Ltd’s $500 million gas-to-liquid plant. It also postured that Dow Chemical (Australia) Ltd and Shell Chemicals Ltd could establish a $2 billion world-scale petrochemical plant in the Pilbara. On 18 February 2000, another lengthy media statement issued by the then Minister for Resources Development welcomed the decision by the United States-based Syntroleum corporation to choose the Burrup Peninsula for its $600 million gas-to-liquid plant. As we can see, not only was there extensive consultation over approximately a decade about that area of the State, but also overseas and international investors were encouraged - and correctly encouraged - by the former State Government to make investments in that area. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure’s Karratha area development strategy also brought together various planning activities at that time in and around Karratha. KADS, as it is known, was released for public comment and was published in its final form in 1998, following endorsement by the Western Australian Planning Commission and Cabinet. KADS, although a non-statutory planning document, provided guidance for aspects of the Shire of Roebourne’s town planning scheme No 8, which was gazetted in August 2000. As you yourself said on Sunday, Mr Speaker, this area has been under discussion for a long time and then set aside, and major industries were attracted to it. I was concerned to hear comments by Hon Robin Chapple on ABC radio on 10 June 2002. I refer to a transcript of the comments made by the member during a radio interview, when questioned by a radio commentator called Johnson - JOHNSON But what about the claims that the investors will go overseas to find these natural gas deposits if they’re delayed in their development by having to go to Maitland instead of using the Burrup? CHAPPLE I mean I think we have to understand why one, the investors are coming to Western Australia - and that is that we do have a stable Government, we do have some continuity and we do have the ability and subsidy for that matter to get these plants going. It is interesting that the member says we have stability and low sovereign risk and that attracts project proponents to this State. If, after attracting proponents to this State we are now urged to somehow tell them that they are no longer welcome in that particular area and they should go elsewhere. If we were to take that course of action, what would happen to the so-called low sovereign risk that the State has established, which is attractive to international investors? This is an important matter; it does mean significant jobs and investment for Western Australia. We believe there has been considerable appropriate consultation about the utilisation of the Burrup Peninsula, and to say at five minutes to midnight that these projects should be located elsewhere would be a breach of faith to the investors and would damage Western Australia’s position internationally.
Mr BROWN replied: I am very pleased to be able to respond to the question from the member for Kimberley who, along with you, Mr Speaker, has taken an active interest in these matters. I will quickly outline the history of the matter, and there is some history to it, because I believe it is appropriate for the House to be acquainted with it. The history of these matters goes back prior to 1992. In 1992, a multiple use plan for the Burrup was published in the Pilbara 21 final strategy report that was endorsed by the then Government. The strategy included the Burrup Peninsula zoning plan, which proposed an industrial area on the Burrup. Subsequently, in 1994 a draft version of the Burrup land use plan with a technical appendix was published for comment. The plan was prepared for the Burrup Peninsula Management Advisory Board, which is a broad stakeholder group that reported to the then Minister for Resources Development. Over 40 submissions were received for the plan, which was amended and published in its final form following endorsement by the then Government in September 1996. The former minister released the plan with a media release on 16 October 1996. In his media release, the former minister noted the likelihood of future liquid natural gas, ammonia, petrochemical, ethanol and iron ore processing plants. It also unequivocally stated that the Burrup was the only option for these developments. That is what the former minister said in 1996. Since that time and the allocation of that plan, the former minister issued other media releases. On 23 March 1999, a media release was issued in the following terms - Resources development in the State’s Pilbara region was given a boost today with the announcement by Plenty River Corporation Limited that it would complete a bankable feasibility study into an $800 million (US$500) ammonia and urea plant near Karratha. Welcoming the announcement, Western Australian Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett said abundant supplies of natural gas meant the Karratha region would see a new crop of value-added chemical industries in the future. . . . The plant, proposed for the industrial area on the Burrup Peninsula, would use natural gas from the North West Shelf. The project would create 1,000 jobs during construction and 120 permanent positions once the plant is operational. The former Minister for Resources Development issued a further media statement on 12 November 1999 that indicated that the then Western Australian Government had allocated $30 million to multi-user infrastructure on the Burrup Peninsula. It also refers to the projects that were then under consideration for the Burrup Peninsula including Plenty River Pty Ltd’s $800 million ammonia and urea plant and the Syntroleum Sweetwater Operations Ltd’s $500 million gas-to-liquid plant. It also postured that Dow Chemical (Australia) Ltd and Shell Chemicals Ltd could establish a $2 billion world-scale petrochemical plant in the Pilbara. On 18 February 2000, another lengthy media statement issued by the then Minister for Resources Development welcomed the decision by the United States-based Syntroleum corporation to choose the Burrup Peninsula for its $600 million gas-to-liquid plant. As we can see, not only was there extensive consultation over approximately a decade about that area of the State, but also overseas and international investors were encouraged - and correctly encouraged - by the former State Government to make investments in that area. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure’s Karratha area development strategy also brought together various planning activities at that time in and around Karratha. KADS, as it is known, was released for public comment and was published in its final form in 1998, following endorsement by the Western Australian Planning Commission and Cabinet. KADS, although a non-statutory planning document, provided guidance for aspects of the Shire of Roebourne’s town planning scheme No 8, which was gazetted in August 2000. As you yourself said on Sunday, Mr Speaker, this area has been under discussion for a long time and then set aside, and major industries were attracted to it. I was concerned to hear comments by Hon Robin Chapple on ABC radio on 10 June 2002. I refer to a transcript of the comments made by the member during a radio interview, when questioned by a radio commentator called Johnson - JOHNSON But what about the claims that the investors will go overseas to find these natural gas deposits if they’re delayed in their development by having to go to Maitland instead of using the Burrup? CHAPPLE I mean I think we have to understand why one, the investors are coming to Western Australia - and that is that we do have a stable Government, we do have some continuity and we do have the ability and subsidy for that matter to get these plants going. It is interesting that the member says we have stability and low sovereign risk and that attracts project proponents to this State. If, after attracting proponents to this State we are now urged to somehow tell them that they are no longer welcome in that particular area and they should go elsewhere. If we were to take that course of action, what would happen to the so-called low sovereign risk that the State has established, which is attractive to international investors? This is an important matter; it does mean significant jobs and investment for Western Australia. We believe there has been considerable appropriate consultation about the utilisation of the Burrup Peninsula, and to say at five minutes to midnight that these projects should be located elsewhere would be a breach of faith to the investors and would damage Western Australia’s position internationally.
I am very pleased to be able to respond to the question from the member for Kimberley who, along with you, Mr Speaker, has taken an active interest in these matters. I will quickly outline the history of the matter, and there is some history to it, because I believe it is appropriate for the House to be acquainted with it. The history of these matters goes back prior to 1992. In 1992, a multiple use plan for the Burrup was published in the Pilbara 21 final strategy report that was endorsed by the then Government. The strategy included the Burrup Peninsula zoning plan, which proposed an industrial area on the Burrup. Subsequently, in 1994 a draft version of the Burrup land use plan with a technical appendix was published for comment. The plan was prepared for the Burrup Peninsula Management Advisory Board, which is a broad stakeholder group that reported to the then Minister for Resources Development. Over 40 submissions were received for the plan, which was amended and published in its final form following endorsement by the then Government in September 1996. The former minister released the plan with a media release on 16 October 1996. In his media release, the former minister noted the likelihood of future liquid natural gas, ammonia, petrochemical, ethanol and iron ore processing plants. It also unequivocally stated that the Burrup was the only option for these developments. That is what the former minister said in 1996. Since that time and the allocation of that plan, the former minister issued other media releases. On 23 March 1999, a media release was issued in the following terms - Resources development in the State’s Pilbara region was given a boost today with the announcement by Plenty River Corporation Limited that it would complete a bankable feasibility study into an $800 million (US$500) ammonia and urea plant near Karratha. Welcoming the announcement, Western Australian Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett said abundant supplies of natural gas meant the Karratha region would see a new crop of value-added chemical industries in the future. . . . The plant, proposed for the industrial area on the Burrup Peninsula, would use natural gas from the North West Shelf. The project would create 1,000 jobs during construction and 120 permanent positions once the plant is operational. The former Minister for Resources Development issued a further media statement on 12 November 1999 that indicated that the then Western Australian Government had allocated $30 million to multi-user infrastructure on the Burrup Peninsula. It also refers to the projects that were then under consideration for the Burrup Peninsula including Plenty River Pty Ltd’s $800 million ammonia and urea plant and the Syntroleum Sweetwater Operations Ltd’s $500 million gas-to-liquid plant. It also postured that Dow Chemical (Australia) Ltd and Shell Chemicals Ltd could establish a $2 billion world-scale petrochemical plant in the Pilbara. On 18 February 2000, another lengthy media statement issued by the then Minister for Resources Development welcomed the decision by the United States-based Syntroleum corporation to choose the Burrup Peninsula for its $600 million gas-to-liquid plant. As we can see, not only was there extensive consultation over approximately a decade about that area of the State, but also overseas and international investors were encouraged - and correctly encouraged - by the former State Government to make investments in that area. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure’s Karratha area development strategy also brought together various planning activities at that time in and around Karratha. KADS, as it is known, was released for public comment and was published in its final form in 1998, following endorsement by the Western Australian Planning Commission and Cabinet. KADS, although a non-statutory planning document, provided guidance for aspects of the Shire of Roebourne’s town planning scheme No 8, which was gazetted in August 2000. As you yourself said on Sunday, Mr Speaker, this area has been under discussion for a long time and then set aside, and major industries were attracted to it. I was concerned to hear comments by Hon Robin Chapple on ABC radio on 10 June 2002. I refer to a transcript of the comments made by the member during a radio interview, when questioned by a radio commentator called Johnson - JOHNSON But what about the claims that the investors will go overseas to find these natural gas deposits if they’re delayed in their development by having to go to Maitland instead of using the Burrup? CHAPPLE I mean I think we have to understand why one, the investors are coming to Western Australia - and that is that we do have a stable Government, we do have some continuity and we do have the ability and subsidy for that matter to get these plants going. It is interesting that the member says we have stability and low sovereign risk and that attracts project proponents to this State. If, after attracting proponents to this State we are now urged to somehow tell them that they are no longer welcome in that particular area and they should go elsewhere. If we were to take that course of action, what would happen to the so-called low sovereign risk that the State has established, which is attractive to international investors? This is an important matter; it does mean significant jobs and investment for Western Australia. We believe there has been considerable appropriate consultation about the utilisation of the Burrup Peninsula, and to say at five minutes to midnight that these projects should be located elsewhere would be a breach of faith to the investors and would damage Western Australia’s position internationally.
Welcoming the announcement, Western Australian Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett said abundant supplies of natural gas meant the Karratha region would see a new crop of value-added chemical industries in the future. . . . The plant, proposed for the industrial area on the Burrup Peninsula, would use natural gas from the North West Shelf. The project would create 1,000 jobs during construction and 120 permanent positions once the plant is operational.
. . . The plant, proposed for the industrial area on the Burrup Peninsula, would use natural gas from the North West Shelf. The project would create 1,000 jobs during construction and 120 permanent positions once the plant is operational.
The plant, proposed for the industrial area on the Burrup Peninsula, would use natural gas from the North West Shelf. The project would create 1,000 jobs during construction and 120 permanent positions once the plant is operational.
As we can see, not only was there extensive consultation over approximately a decade about that area of the State, but also overseas and international investors were encouraged - and correctly encouraged - by the former State Government to make investments in that area. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure’s Karratha area development strategy also brought together various planning activities at that time in and around Karratha. KADS, as it is known, was released for public comment and was published in its final form in 1998, following endorsement by the Western Australian Planning Commission and Cabinet. KADS, although a non-statutory planning document, provided guidance for aspects of the Shire of Roebourne’s town planning scheme No 8, which was gazetted in August 2000. As you yourself said on Sunday, Mr Speaker, this area has been under discussion for a long time and then set aside, and major industries were attracted to it. I was concerned to hear comments by Hon Robin Chapple on ABC radio on 10 June 2002. I refer to a transcript of the comments made by the member during a radio interview, when questioned by a radio commentator called Johnson - JOHNSON But what about the claims that the investors will go overseas to find these natural gas deposits if they’re delayed in their development by having to go to Maitland instead of using the Burrup? CHAPPLE I mean I think we have to understand why one, the investors are coming to Western Australia - and that is that we do have a stable Government, we do have some continuity and we do have the ability and subsidy for that matter to get these plants going. It is interesting that the member says we have stability and low sovereign risk and that attracts project proponents to this State. If, after attracting proponents to this State we are now urged to somehow tell them that they are no longer welcome in that particular area and they should go elsewhere. If we were to take that course of action, what would happen to the so-called low sovereign risk that the State has established, which is attractive to international investors? This is an important matter; it does mean significant jobs and investment for Western Australia. We believe there has been considerable appropriate consultation about the utilisation of the Burrup Peninsula, and to say at five minutes to midnight that these projects should be located elsewhere would be a breach of faith to the investors and would damage Western Australia’s position internationally.
But what about the claims that the investors will go overseas to find these natural gas deposits if they’re delayed in their development by having to go to Maitland instead of using the Burrup? CHAPPLE I mean I think we have to understand why one, the investors are coming to Western Australia - and that is that we do have a stable Government, we do have some continuity and we do have the ability and subsidy for that matter to get these plants going.
CHAPPLE I mean I think we have to understand why one, the investors are coming to Western Australia - and that is that we do have a stable Government, we do have some continuity and we do have the ability and subsidy for that matter to get these plants going.
I mean I think we have to understand why one, the investors are coming to Western Australia - and that is that we do have a stable Government, we do have some continuity and we do have the ability and subsidy for that matter to get these plants going.
This is an important matter; it does mean significant jobs and investment for Western Australia. We believe there has been considerable appropriate consultation about the utilisation of the Burrup Peninsula, and to say at five minutes to midnight that these projects should be located elsewhere would be a breach of faith to the investors and would damage Western Australia’s position internationally.
Mr BROWN replied: I am very pleased to be able to respond to the question from the member for Kimberley who, along with you, Mr Speaker, has taken an active interest in these matters. I will quickly outline the history of the matter, and there is some history to it, because I believe it is appropriate for the House to be acquainted with it. The history of these matters goes back prior to 1992. In 1992, a multiple use plan for the Burrup was published in the Pilbara 21 final strategy report that was endorsed by the then Government. The strategy included the Burrup Peninsula zoning plan, which proposed an industrial area on the Burrup. Subsequently, in 1994 a draft version of the Burrup land use plan with a technical appendix was published for comment. The plan was prepared for the Burrup Peninsula Management Advisory Board, which is a broad stakeholder group that reported to the then Minister for Resources Development. Over 40 submissions were received for the plan, which was amended and published in its final form following endorsement by the then Government in September 1996. The former minister released the plan with a media release on 16 October 1996. In his media release, the former minister noted the likelihood of future liquid natural gas, ammonia, petrochemical, ethanol and iron ore processing plants. It also unequivocally stated that the Burrup was the only option for these developments. That is what the former minister said in 1996. Since that time and the allocation of that plan, the former minister issued other media releases. On 23 March 1999, a media release was issued in the following terms - Resources development in the State’s Pilbara region was given a boost today with the announcement by Plenty River Corporation Limited that it would complete a bankable feasibility study into an $800 million (US$500) ammonia and urea plant near Karratha. Welcoming the announcement, Western Australian Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett said abundant supplies of natural gas meant the Karratha region would see a new crop of value-added chemical industries in the future. . . . The plant, proposed for the industrial area on the Burrup Peninsula, would use natural gas from the North West Shelf. The project would create 1,000 jobs during construction and 120 permanent positions once the plant is operational. The former Minister for Resources Development issued a further media statement on 12 November 1999 that indicated that the then Western Australian Government had allocated $30 million to multi-user infrastructure on the Burrup Peninsula. It also refers to the projects that were then under consideration for the Burrup Peninsula including Plenty River Pty Ltd’s $800 million ammonia and urea plant and the Syntroleum Sweetwater Operations Ltd’s $500 million gas-to-liquid plant. It also postured that Dow Chemical (Australia) Ltd and Shell Chemicals Ltd could establish a $2 billion world-scale petrochemical plant in the Pilbara. On 18 February 2000, another lengthy media statement issued by the then Minister for Resources Development welcomed the decision by the United States-based Syntroleum corporation to choose the Burrup Peninsula for its $600 million gas-to-liquid plant. As we can see, not only was there extensive consultation over approximately a decade about that area of the State, but also overseas and international investors were encouraged - and correctly encouraged - by the former State Government to make investments in that area. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure’s Karratha area development strategy also brought together various planning activities at that time in and around Karratha. KADS, as it is known, was released for public comment and was published in its final form in 1998, following endorsement by the Western Australian Planning Commission and Cabinet. KADS, although a non-statutory planning document, provided guidance for aspects of the Shire of Roebourne’s town planning scheme No 8, which was gazetted in August 2000. As you yourself said on Sunday, Mr Speaker, this area has been under discussion for a long time and then set aside, and major industries were attracted to it. I was concerned to hear comments by Hon Robin Chapple on ABC radio on 10 June 2002. I refer to a transcript of the comments made by the member during a radio interview, when questioned by a radio commentator called Johnson - JOHNSON But what about the claims that the investors will go overseas to find these natural gas deposits if they’re delayed in their development by having to go to Maitland instead of using the Burrup? CHAPPLE I mean I think we have to understand why one, the investors are coming to Western Australia - and that is that we do have a stable Government, we do have some continuity and we do have the ability and subsidy for that matter to get these plants going. It is interesting that the member says we have stability and low sovereign risk and that attracts project proponents to this State. If, after attracting proponents to this State we are now urged to somehow tell them that they are no longer welcome in that particular area and they should go elsewhere. If we were to take that course of action, what would happen to the so-called low sovereign risk that the State has established, which is attractive to international investors? This is an important matter; it does mean significant jobs and investment for Western Australia. We believe there has been considerable appropriate consultation about the utilisation of the Burrup Peninsula, and to say at five minutes to midnight that these projects should be located elsewhere would be a breach of faith to the investors and would damage Western Australia’s position internationally.
I am very pleased to be able to respond to the question from the member for Kimberley who, along with you, Mr Speaker, has taken an active interest in these matters. I will quickly outline the history of the matter, and there is some history to it, because I believe it is appropriate for the House to be acquainted with it. The history of these matters goes back prior to 1992. In 1992, a multiple use plan for the Burrup was published in the Pilbara 21 final strategy report that was endorsed by the then Government. The strategy included the Burrup Peninsula zoning plan, which proposed an industrial area on the Burrup. Subsequently, in 1994 a draft version of the Burrup land use plan with a technical appendix was published for comment. The plan was prepared for the Burrup Peninsula Management Advisory Board, which is a broad stakeholder group that reported to the then Minister for Resources Development. Over 40 submissions were received for the plan, which was amended and published in its final form following endorsement by the then Government in September 1996. The former minister released the plan with a media release on 16 October 1996. In his media release, the former minister noted the likelihood of future liquid natural gas, ammonia, petrochemical, ethanol and iron ore processing plants. It also unequivocally stated that the Burrup was the only option for these developments. That is what the former minister said in 1996. Since that time and the allocation of that plan, the former minister issued other media releases. On 23 March 1999, a media release was issued in the following terms - Resources development in the State’s Pilbara region was given a boost today with the announcement by Plenty River Corporation Limited that it would complete a bankable feasibility study into an $800 million (US$500) ammonia and urea plant near Karratha. Welcoming the announcement, Western Australian Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett said abundant supplies of natural gas meant the Karratha region would see a new crop of value-added chemical industries in the future. . . . The plant, proposed for the industrial area on the Burrup Peninsula, would use natural gas from the North West Shelf. The project would create 1,000 jobs during construction and 120 permanent positions once the plant is operational. The former Minister for Resources Development issued a further media statement on 12 November 1999 that indicated that the then Western Australian Government had allocated $30 million to multi-user infrastructure on the Burrup Peninsula. It also refers to the projects that were then under consideration for the Burrup Peninsula including Plenty River Pty Ltd’s $800 million ammonia and urea plant and the Syntroleum Sweetwater Operations Ltd’s $500 million gas-to-liquid plant. It also postured that Dow Chemical (Australia) Ltd and Shell Chemicals Ltd could establish a $2 billion world-scale petrochemical plant in the Pilbara. On 18 February 2000, another lengthy media statement issued by the then Minister for Resources Development welcomed the decision by the United States-based Syntroleum corporation to choose the Burrup Peninsula for its $600 million gas-to-liquid plant. As we can see, not only was there extensive consultation over approximately a decade about that area of the State, but also overseas and international investors were encouraged - and correctly encouraged - by the former State Government to make investments in that area. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure’s Karratha area development strategy also brought together various planning activities at that time in and around Karratha. KADS, as it is known, was released for public comment and was published in its final form in 1998, following endorsement by the Western Australian Planning Commission and Cabinet. KADS, although a non-statutory planning document, provided guidance for aspects of the Shire of Roebourne’s town planning scheme No 8, which was gazetted in August 2000. As you yourself said on Sunday, Mr Speaker, this area has been under discussion for a long time and then set aside, and major industries were attracted to it. I was concerned to hear comments by Hon Robin Chapple on ABC radio on 10 June 2002. I refer to a transcript of the comments made by the member during a radio interview, when questioned by a radio commentator called Johnson - JOHNSON But what about the claims that the investors will go overseas to find these natural gas deposits if they’re delayed in their development by having to go to Maitland instead of using the Burrup? CHAPPLE I mean I think we have to understand why one, the investors are coming to Western Australia - and that is that we do have a stable Government, we do have some continuity and we do have the ability and subsidy for that matter to get these plants going. It is interesting that the member says we have stability and low sovereign risk and that attracts project proponents to this State. If, after attracting proponents to this State we are now urged to somehow tell them that they are no longer welcome in that particular area and they should go elsewhere. If we were to take that course of action, what would happen to the so-called low sovereign risk that the State has established, which is attractive to international investors? This is an important matter; it does mean significant jobs and investment for Western Australia. We believe there has been considerable appropriate consultation about the utilisation of the Burrup Peninsula, and to say at five minutes to midnight that these projects should be located elsewhere would be a breach of faith to the investors and would damage Western Australia’s position internationally.
Welcoming the announcement, Western Australian Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett said abundant supplies of natural gas meant the Karratha region would see a new crop of value-added chemical industries in the future. . . . The plant, proposed for the industrial area on the Burrup Peninsula, would use natural gas from the North West Shelf. The project would create 1,000 jobs during construction and 120 permanent positions once the plant is operational.
. . . The plant, proposed for the industrial area on the Burrup Peninsula, would use natural gas from the North West Shelf. The project would create 1,000 jobs during construction and 120 permanent positions once the plant is operational.
The plant, proposed for the industrial area on the Burrup Peninsula, would use natural gas from the North West Shelf. The project would create 1,000 jobs during construction and 120 permanent positions once the plant is operational.
As we can see, not only was there extensive consultation over approximately a decade about that area of the State, but also overseas and international investors were encouraged - and correctly encouraged - by the former State Government to make investments in that area. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure’s Karratha area development strategy also brought together various planning activities at that time in and around Karratha. KADS, as it is known, was released for public comment and was published in its final form in 1998, following endorsement by the Western Australian Planning Commission and Cabinet. KADS, although a non-statutory planning document, provided guidance for aspects of the Shire of Roebourne’s town planning scheme No 8, which was gazetted in August 2000. As you yourself said on Sunday, Mr Speaker, this area has been under discussion for a long time and then set aside, and major industries were attracted to it. I was concerned to hear comments by Hon Robin Chapple on ABC radio on 10 June 2002. I refer to a transcript of the comments made by the member during a radio interview, when questioned by a radio commentator called Johnson - JOHNSON But what about the claims that the investors will go overseas to find these natural gas deposits if they’re delayed in their development by having to go to Maitland instead of using the Burrup? CHAPPLE I mean I think we have to understand why one, the investors are coming to Western Australia - and that is that we do have a stable Government, we do have some continuity and we do have the ability and subsidy for that matter to get these plants going. It is interesting that the member says we have stability and low sovereign risk and that attracts project proponents to this State. If, after attracting proponents to this State we are now urged to somehow tell them that they are no longer welcome in that particular area and they should go elsewhere. If we were to take that course of action, what would happen to the so-called low sovereign risk that the State has established, which is attractive to international investors? This is an important matter; it does mean significant jobs and investment for Western Australia. We believe there has been considerable appropriate consultation about the utilisation of the Burrup Peninsula, and to say at five minutes to midnight that these projects should be located elsewhere would be a breach of faith to the investors and would damage Western Australia’s position internationally.
But what about the claims that the investors will go overseas to find these natural gas deposits if they’re delayed in their development by having to go to Maitland instead of using the Burrup? CHAPPLE I mean I think we have to understand why one, the investors are coming to Western Australia - and that is that we do have a stable Government, we do have some continuity and we do have the ability and subsidy for that matter to get these plants going.
CHAPPLE I mean I think we have to understand why one, the investors are coming to Western Australia - and that is that we do have a stable Government, we do have some continuity and we do have the ability and subsidy for that matter to get these plants going.
I mean I think we have to understand why one, the investors are coming to Western Australia - and that is that we do have a stable Government, we do have some continuity and we do have the ability and subsidy for that matter to get these plants going.
This is an important matter; it does mean significant jobs and investment for Western Australia. We believe there has been considerable appropriate consultation about the utilisation of the Burrup Peninsula, and to say at five minutes to midnight that these projects should be located elsewhere would be a breach of faith to the investors and would damage Western Australia’s position internationally.
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