❓ Question regarding the potential impact of a national heritage listing on industrial development and job creation in the Pilbara region, with the Minister expressing concern over potential economic consequences.
AnsweredQoN 288Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a recent emergency national heritage listing nomination by the National Trust of Australia (WA) for the Burrup Peninsula and nearby West Intercourse Island. What impact would this listing have on industrial development in the Pilbara and the creation of jobs and opportunities throughout the State? Mr C.M. BROWN
AnswerView source ↗
I am aware of the request for emergency listing of this area. I am concerned about the impact this would have on employment and economic growth throughout the State. Many members in this House will be aware that the proposal includes the Burrup Peninsula, West Intercourse Island and other islands in the Dampier Archipelago. Members will also be aware, as will you, Mr Speaker, that the Burrup Peninsula is home to a number of major industrial projects, including those by Woodside, Hamersley Iron, Dampier Salt Ltd and Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd, the plant of which is currently under construction. The nomination seeks to cover West Intercourse Island. Should the Maitland area ever be developed, West Intercourse Island would be an integral part of that, as it would be required for the port development. The most conservative estimate is that very high-value rock art covers about 20 per cent of West Intercourse Island. The listing that has been requested would make the approvals process far more complex. It would entail the prospect of the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act becoming involved in the approval process. It would certainly open the opportunity for those who wish to stop development to take out injunctions against it, and would have the capacity to prevent or seriously delay various projects proposed for the Burrup Peninsula. A great deal has been said about appropriate industrial sites in and around Karratha. As you will know, Mr Speaker, issues concerning the Maitland estate have been raised from time to time. There has been the idiotic suggestion that development could occur at Maitland without a port being developed on West Intercourse Island. That does not stack up. Most people who have any understanding of the issue dismiss such idiotic conclusions. If West Intercourse Island were listed, in effect that would mean that if consideration were given to the development of Maitland at any time in the future, it would simply be ruled out because West Intercourse Island could not be developed. If the emergency listing is approved by Dr Kemp, it will have significant economic consequences for not only the region but Western Australia as a whole. I have written to Dr Kemp and to the federal Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane, outlining my opposition to the emergency listing as it is being sought. In effect, what is being sought simply ignores the fact that we have preserved about two-thirds of the Burrup Peninsula and that we are undertaking major studies to ensure that appropriate remedial action is taken if existing emissions are causing damage to the rock art. The Government is seeking to ensure that major economic growth continues throughout the State, particularly in that part of the State.
Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I am aware of the request for emergency listing of this area. I am concerned about the impact this would have on employment and economic growth throughout the State. Many members in this House will be aware that the proposal includes the Burrup Peninsula, West Intercourse Island and other islands in the Dampier Archipelago. Members will also be aware, as will you, Mr Speaker, that the Burrup Peninsula is home to a number of major industrial projects, including those by Woodside, Hamersley Iron, Dampier Salt Ltd and Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd, the plant of which is currently under construction. The nomination seeks to cover West Intercourse Island. Should the Maitland area ever be developed, West Intercourse Island would be an integral part of that, as it would be required for the port development. The most conservative estimate is that very high-value rock art covers about 20 per cent of West Intercourse Island. The listing that has been requested would make the approvals process far more complex. It would entail the prospect of the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act becoming involved in the approval process. It would certainly open the opportunity for those who wish to stop development to take out injunctions against it, and would have the capacity to prevent or seriously delay various projects proposed for the Burrup Peninsula. A great deal has been said about appropriate industrial sites in and around Karratha. As you will know, Mr Speaker, issues concerning the Maitland estate have been raised from time to time. There has been the idiotic suggestion that development could occur at Maitland without a port being developed on West Intercourse Island. That does not stack up. Most people who have any understanding of the issue dismiss such idiotic conclusions. If West Intercourse Island were listed, in effect that would mean that if consideration were given to the development of Maitland at any time in the future, it would simply be ruled out because West Intercourse Island could not be developed. If the emergency listing is approved by Dr Kemp, it will have significant economic consequences for not only the region but Western Australia as a whole. I have written to Dr Kemp and to the federal Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane, outlining my opposition to the emergency listing as it is being sought. In effect, what is being sought simply ignores the fact that we have preserved about two-thirds of the Burrup Peninsula and that we are undertaking major studies to ensure that appropriate remedial action is taken if existing emissions are causing damage to the rock art. The Government is seeking to ensure that major economic growth continues throughout the State, particularly in that part of the State.
I am aware of the request for emergency listing of this area. I am concerned about the impact this would have on employment and economic growth throughout the State. Many members in this House will be aware that the proposal includes the Burrup Peninsula, West Intercourse Island and other islands in the Dampier Archipelago. Members will also be aware, as will you, Mr Speaker, that the Burrup Peninsula is home to a number of major industrial projects, including those by Woodside, Hamersley Iron, Dampier Salt Ltd and Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd, the plant of which is currently under construction. The nomination seeks to cover West Intercourse Island. Should the Maitland area ever be developed, West Intercourse Island would be an integral part of that, as it would be required for the port development. The most conservative estimate is that very high-value rock art covers about 20 per cent of West Intercourse Island. The listing that has been requested would make the approvals process far more complex. It would entail the prospect of the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act becoming involved in the approval process. It would certainly open the opportunity for those who wish to stop development to take out injunctions against it, and would have the capacity to prevent or seriously delay various projects proposed for the Burrup Peninsula. A great deal has been said about appropriate industrial sites in and around Karratha. As you will know, Mr Speaker, issues concerning the Maitland estate have been raised from time to time. There has been the idiotic suggestion that development could occur at Maitland without a port being developed on West Intercourse Island. That does not stack up. Most people who have any understanding of the issue dismiss such idiotic conclusions. If West Intercourse Island were listed, in effect that would mean that if consideration were given to the development of Maitland at any time in the future, it would simply be ruled out because West Intercourse Island could not be developed. If the emergency listing is approved by Dr Kemp, it will have significant economic consequences for not only the region but Western Australia as a whole. I have written to Dr Kemp and to the federal Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane, outlining my opposition to the emergency listing as it is being sought. In effect, what is being sought simply ignores the fact that we have preserved about two-thirds of the Burrup Peninsula and that we are undertaking major studies to ensure that appropriate remedial action is taken if existing emissions are causing damage to the rock art. The Government is seeking to ensure that major economic growth continues throughout the State, particularly in that part of the State.
The listing that has been requested would make the approvals process far more complex. It would entail the prospect of the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act becoming involved in the approval process. It would certainly open the opportunity for those who wish to stop development to take out injunctions against it, and would have the capacity to prevent or seriously delay various projects proposed for the Burrup Peninsula. A great deal has been said about appropriate industrial sites in and around Karratha. As you will know, Mr Speaker, issues concerning the Maitland estate have been raised from time to time. There has been the idiotic suggestion that development could occur at Maitland without a port being developed on West Intercourse Island. That does not stack up. Most people who have any understanding of the issue dismiss such idiotic conclusions. If West Intercourse Island were listed, in effect that would mean that if consideration were given to the development of Maitland at any time in the future, it would simply be ruled out because West Intercourse Island could not be developed. If the emergency listing is approved by Dr Kemp, it will have significant economic consequences for not only the region but Western Australia as a whole. I have written to Dr Kemp and to the federal Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane, outlining my opposition to the emergency listing as it is being sought. In effect, what is being sought simply ignores the fact that we have preserved about two-thirds of the Burrup Peninsula and that we are undertaking major studies to ensure that appropriate remedial action is taken if existing emissions are causing damage to the rock art. The Government is seeking to ensure that major economic growth continues throughout the State, particularly in that part of the State.
Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I am aware of the request for emergency listing of this area. I am concerned about the impact this would have on employment and economic growth throughout the State. Many members in this House will be aware that the proposal includes the Burrup Peninsula, West Intercourse Island and other islands in the Dampier Archipelago. Members will also be aware, as will you, Mr Speaker, that the Burrup Peninsula is home to a number of major industrial projects, including those by Woodside, Hamersley Iron, Dampier Salt Ltd and Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd, the plant of which is currently under construction. The nomination seeks to cover West Intercourse Island. Should the Maitland area ever be developed, West Intercourse Island would be an integral part of that, as it would be required for the port development. The most conservative estimate is that very high-value rock art covers about 20 per cent of West Intercourse Island. The listing that has been requested would make the approvals process far more complex. It would entail the prospect of the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act becoming involved in the approval process. It would certainly open the opportunity for those who wish to stop development to take out injunctions against it, and would have the capacity to prevent or seriously delay various projects proposed for the Burrup Peninsula. A great deal has been said about appropriate industrial sites in and around Karratha. As you will know, Mr Speaker, issues concerning the Maitland estate have been raised from time to time. There has been the idiotic suggestion that development could occur at Maitland without a port being developed on West Intercourse Island. That does not stack up. Most people who have any understanding of the issue dismiss such idiotic conclusions. If West Intercourse Island were listed, in effect that would mean that if consideration were given to the development of Maitland at any time in the future, it would simply be ruled out because West Intercourse Island could not be developed. If the emergency listing is approved by Dr Kemp, it will have significant economic consequences for not only the region but Western Australia as a whole. I have written to Dr Kemp and to the federal Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane, outlining my opposition to the emergency listing as it is being sought. In effect, what is being sought simply ignores the fact that we have preserved about two-thirds of the Burrup Peninsula and that we are undertaking major studies to ensure that appropriate remedial action is taken if existing emissions are causing damage to the rock art. The Government is seeking to ensure that major economic growth continues throughout the State, particularly in that part of the State.
I am aware of the request for emergency listing of this area. I am concerned about the impact this would have on employment and economic growth throughout the State. Many members in this House will be aware that the proposal includes the Burrup Peninsula, West Intercourse Island and other islands in the Dampier Archipelago. Members will also be aware, as will you, Mr Speaker, that the Burrup Peninsula is home to a number of major industrial projects, including those by Woodside, Hamersley Iron, Dampier Salt Ltd and Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd, the plant of which is currently under construction. The nomination seeks to cover West Intercourse Island. Should the Maitland area ever be developed, West Intercourse Island would be an integral part of that, as it would be required for the port development. The most conservative estimate is that very high-value rock art covers about 20 per cent of West Intercourse Island. The listing that has been requested would make the approvals process far more complex. It would entail the prospect of the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act becoming involved in the approval process. It would certainly open the opportunity for those who wish to stop development to take out injunctions against it, and would have the capacity to prevent or seriously delay various projects proposed for the Burrup Peninsula. A great deal has been said about appropriate industrial sites in and around Karratha. As you will know, Mr Speaker, issues concerning the Maitland estate have been raised from time to time. There has been the idiotic suggestion that development could occur at Maitland without a port being developed on West Intercourse Island. That does not stack up. Most people who have any understanding of the issue dismiss such idiotic conclusions. If West Intercourse Island were listed, in effect that would mean that if consideration were given to the development of Maitland at any time in the future, it would simply be ruled out because West Intercourse Island could not be developed. If the emergency listing is approved by Dr Kemp, it will have significant economic consequences for not only the region but Western Australia as a whole. I have written to Dr Kemp and to the federal Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane, outlining my opposition to the emergency listing as it is being sought. In effect, what is being sought simply ignores the fact that we have preserved about two-thirds of the Burrup Peninsula and that we are undertaking major studies to ensure that appropriate remedial action is taken if existing emissions are causing damage to the rock art. The Government is seeking to ensure that major economic growth continues throughout the State, particularly in that part of the State.
The listing that has been requested would make the approvals process far more complex. It would entail the prospect of the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act becoming involved in the approval process. It would certainly open the opportunity for those who wish to stop development to take out injunctions against it, and would have the capacity to prevent or seriously delay various projects proposed for the Burrup Peninsula. A great deal has been said about appropriate industrial sites in and around Karratha. As you will know, Mr Speaker, issues concerning the Maitland estate have been raised from time to time. There has been the idiotic suggestion that development could occur at Maitland without a port being developed on West Intercourse Island. That does not stack up. Most people who have any understanding of the issue dismiss such idiotic conclusions. If West Intercourse Island were listed, in effect that would mean that if consideration were given to the development of Maitland at any time in the future, it would simply be ruled out because West Intercourse Island could not be developed. If the emergency listing is approved by Dr Kemp, it will have significant economic consequences for not only the region but Western Australia as a whole. I have written to Dr Kemp and to the federal Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane, outlining my opposition to the emergency listing as it is being sought. In effect, what is being sought simply ignores the fact that we have preserved about two-thirds of the Burrup Peninsula and that we are undertaking major studies to ensure that appropriate remedial action is taken if existing emissions are causing damage to the rock art. The Government is seeking to ensure that major economic growth continues throughout the State, particularly in that part of the State.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.