❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the Derby Tidal Power Project, its environmental assessment process, and potential impacts on the Derby mudflats and dust storm intensity. The Minister provides detailed responses regarding the project's history, assessment stages, and mitigation measures.
AnsweredQoN 25Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Regarding the Derby Tidal Power Project, which environmental assessment process is the proposal now subject to?
(2) Of the several iterations of the project proposal developed and submitted since 1997, which is the one being assessed now?
(3) What stage of the environmental assessment process has the project reached?
(4) On 25 January 2013, via a letter, in what capacity did the Minister advise the Shire of Derby West Kimberley that the environmental assessment of the project was not concluded, and that this was as a result of the proponent withdrawing his tender?
(5) Is the current proposal the same as the one the proponent withdrew from tender to Western Power in 2003?
(6) If yes to (5), who is the tender for?
(7) If no (5), why not?
(8) If no to (5), what is the nature of the new proposal?
(9) Will there be a public consultation period for the project, and if so:
(a) where will that be advertised; and
(b) how much time will be permitted for public submissions?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Is the Minister aware that the project, if permitted to proceed, would lower the tidal levels that keep the Derby mudflats wet, and that if the mudflats dry out the entire town would be subject to increased dust storm intensity?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
(13) If yes to (11), is the Minister aware of the health and environmental implications of such events?
(14) If yes to (11), what management processes will the Minister require to be put in place by the proponent, Tidal Energy Australia, to mitigate such impacts?
(2) Of the several iterations of the project proposal developed and submitted since 1997, which is the one being assessed now?
(3) What stage of the environmental assessment process has the project reached?
(4) On 25 January 2013, via a letter, in what capacity did the Minister advise the Shire of Derby West Kimberley that the environmental assessment of the project was not concluded, and that this was as a result of the proponent withdrawing his tender?
(5) Is the current proposal the same as the one the proponent withdrew from tender to Western Power in 2003?
(6) If yes to (5), who is the tender for?
(7) If no (5), why not?
(8) If no to (5), what is the nature of the new proposal?
(9) Will there be a public consultation period for the project, and if so:
(a) where will that be advertised; and
(b) how much time will be permitted for public submissions?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Is the Minister aware that the project, if permitted to proceed, would lower the tidal levels that keep the Derby mudflats wet, and that if the mudflats dry out the entire town would be subject to increased dust storm intensity?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
(13) If yes to (11), is the Minister aware of the health and environmental implications of such events?
(14) If yes to (11), what management processes will the Minister require to be put in place by the proponent, Tidal Energy Australia, to mitigate such impacts?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 June 2013
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
35 days
I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for
Environment has provided the following information.
(1)-(2) The Derby Tidal Power Station Project proposal was the subject
of three assessment reports by the Environmental Protection Authority
(Bulletins 942, 948 and 1071). The latest assessment report for the proposal
was published in October 2002 (Bulletin 1071) and provides a description of the
current proposal.
Two appeals received in objection to Bulletin 1071 were determined by the
then Minister for the Environment in July 2003 and the proposal entered a
consultation process with relevant decisions making authorities, in accordance
with section 45(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . The
consultation process was not concluded as the proponent requested the matter be
placed on hold.
(3) In 2012, the proponent indicated an intention to proceed with the
proposal. Following advice from the Office of the Environmental Protection
Authority, the former Minister for Environment commenced consultation in
January 2013 with other Ministerial decision making authorities in accordance
with section 45(1) of the Environmental Protection Act.
(4) The former Minister for Environment advised the Shire of Derby/West
Kimberley by letter dated 25 January 2013 that the initial consultation process
was not concluded as a result of the proponent withdrawing from the Western
Power tender process in February 2003. He did not advise that the
environmental assessment of the project was not concluded. The purpose of the
letter was to re-commence the consultation process.
(5)-(8) Refer to the response to (1)-(2) above.
(9)-(10) As part of the formal environmental impact assessment process
undertaken at the level of Consultative Environmental Review, the project was
open for public submissions from 1 December 1997 for five weeks. Seventeen
submissions were received by the Environmental Protection Authority.
(11)-(13) Yes. The Environmental Protection Authority advised in Report
942 to the then Minister for the Environment that concerns were raised in the
public submissions regarding the potential increase in dust levels in Derby as
a result of large areas of mudflats no longer being subject to tidal
inundation.
(14) If the Minister for Environment approves the proposal, it will be
required to comply with a set of conditions, which will be made public.
Environment has provided the following information.
(1)-(2) The Derby Tidal Power Station Project proposal was the subject
of three assessment reports by the Environmental Protection Authority
(Bulletins 942, 948 and 1071). The latest assessment report for the proposal
was published in October 2002 (Bulletin 1071) and provides a description of the
current proposal.
Two appeals received in objection to Bulletin 1071 were determined by the
then Minister for the Environment in July 2003 and the proposal entered a
consultation process with relevant decisions making authorities, in accordance
with section 45(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . The
consultation process was not concluded as the proponent requested the matter be
placed on hold.
(3) In 2012, the proponent indicated an intention to proceed with the
proposal. Following advice from the Office of the Environmental Protection
Authority, the former Minister for Environment commenced consultation in
January 2013 with other Ministerial decision making authorities in accordance
with section 45(1) of the Environmental Protection Act.
(4) The former Minister for Environment advised the Shire of Derby/West
Kimberley by letter dated 25 January 2013 that the initial consultation process
was not concluded as a result of the proponent withdrawing from the Western
Power tender process in February 2003. He did not advise that the
environmental assessment of the project was not concluded. The purpose of the
letter was to re-commence the consultation process.
(5)-(8) Refer to the response to (1)-(2) above.
(9)-(10) As part of the formal environmental impact assessment process
undertaken at the level of Consultative Environmental Review, the project was
open for public submissions from 1 December 1997 for five weeks. Seventeen
submissions were received by the Environmental Protection Authority.
(11)-(13) Yes. The Environmental Protection Authority advised in Report
942 to the then Minister for the Environment that concerns were raised in the
public submissions regarding the potential increase in dust levels in Derby as
a result of large areas of mudflats no longer being subject to tidal
inundation.
(14) If the Minister for Environment approves the proposal, it will be
required to comply with a set of conditions, which will be made public.
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