❓ A parliamentary question seeks clarification on state development projects, the Alcoa Wagerup expansion environmental assessment, concerns for residents affected by emissions, and interest in building an aluminium smelter. The Minister provides details on project valuation, assessment timelines, health concerns, and smelter prospects.
AnsweredQoN 3027Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What are the projects, which make up the ‘$18 billion worth of projects’ as stated in the Minister’s press release dated 24 June 2004?
(2) When will the proposed Alcoa Wagerup Expansion environmental assessment be undertaken and when and will these results be published?
(3) Does the Minister have any concerns for the residents living at Yarloop and Hamel, who are still being affected by emissions from Alcoa Wagerup?
(4) Which company or companies are interested in building the Aluminium Smelter referred to in
The Western Australian
newspaper article on 26 June 2004?
(2) When will the proposed Alcoa Wagerup Expansion environmental assessment be undertaken and when and will these results be published?
(3) Does the Minister have any concerns for the residents living at Yarloop and Hamel, who are still being affected by emissions from Alcoa Wagerup?
(4) Which company or companies are interested in building the Aluminium Smelter referred to in
The Western Australian
newspaper article on 26 June 2004?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 August 2004
Responded by
Minister for State Development
Response time
48 days
I am advised: 1) The principle source of the "$18 billion worth of projects" referred to in my press release of 24 June 2004 was the "Delta Electricity Access Economics Investment (New Construction and Investment) Monitor, December 2003 Project Listing Western Australia. That report shows that as at December 2003 projects under construction totalled value of $15,173 million and committed of $2,179 million (i.e, a total of $17,352 million). Since this report was published several new projects have been announced as being "committed", including for example: &nbs p; &n bsp; &nbs p; $ million Worsley refinery upgrade 270 Ravensthorpe Nickel project 1,400 In order to take account of these developments and to ensure that the situation was not overstated a cautious approach was taken in estimating projects currently "under construction and committed" and an estimate of $18 billion made. 2) The proposed Wagerup refinery expansion will be assessed at the level of Environmental Review and Management Program ("ERMP"). The ERMP is under development by Alcoa, in consultation with the local community, and is expected to be formally released for public review early next year. 3) The health and safety of the public and workers is of paramount importance to the Government and to me, personally. The ERMP is expected to involve a detailed health risk assessment, which will help guide Government's consideration of the proposal. 4) There is no proposal presently before Government to build an aluminium smelter in Western Australia. However, the Government continues to monitor the key factors that impact on the viability of a smelter (such as energy availability and cost, world demand/supply, etc.) and considers the prospects are improving for Western Australia. I have no doubt that aluminium companies located both in the State and overseas are also closely monitoring the situation.
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