Hon. Norman Moore questions the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure about Fortescue Metals Group commencing work at Port Hedland without final development plan approval. The Minister, Hon. Adele Farina, responds that the work was undertaken under an arrangement that doesn't prejudice the state agreement, and facilitates early project completion.

AnsweredQoN 755Legislative Council
Asked
19 September 2006
Portfolio
Planning and Infrastructure

QuestionView source ↗

FORTESCUE METALS GROUP - PORT FACILITIES
I draw the minister’s attention to an announcement by Fortescue Metals Group dated 11 September that it had awarded contracts for the development of its port facilities and describing considerable work it had done at the Port Hedland port since February. (1) Will the minister explain how the company was allowed to proceed with work at Port Hedland without having a final development plan approved through the regulatory processes as required by the state agreement? (2) Can the minister indicate whether it is normal practice for development proponents to be allowed to undertake considerable work without having the project approved? Hon ADELE FARINA

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The works that have proceeded at the port of Port Hedland have been undertaken under an arrangement between The Pilbara Infrastructure Pty Ltd and the Port Hedland Port Authority, acting under the Port Authorities Act 1999. The terms of the arrangement do not prejudice the proper operation of the state agreement. (2) The advice we received that established the existence of the state agreement did not prevent the arrangements being made under the Port Authorities Act. It will be of immense benefit to the state to facilitate the early development and completion of this project while the strong demand for iron ore continues.
(1) Will the minister explain how the company was allowed to proceed with work at Port Hedland without having a final development plan approved through the regulatory processes as required by the state agreement? (2) Can the minister indicate whether it is normal practice for development proponents to be allowed to undertake considerable work without having the project approved? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The works that have proceeded at the port of Port Hedland have been undertaken under an arrangement between The Pilbara Infrastructure Pty Ltd and the Port Hedland Port Authority, acting under the Port Authorities Act 1999. The terms of the arrangement do not prejudice the proper operation of the state agreement. (2) The advice we received that established the existence of the state agreement did not prevent the arrangements being made under the Port Authorities Act. It will be of immense benefit to the state to facilitate the early development and completion of this project while the strong demand for iron ore continues.
(2) Can the minister indicate whether it is normal practice for development proponents to be allowed to undertake considerable work without having the project approved? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The works that have proceeded at the port of Port Hedland have been undertaken under an arrangement between The Pilbara Infrastructure Pty Ltd and the Port Hedland Port Authority, acting under the Port Authorities Act 1999. The terms of the arrangement do not prejudice the proper operation of the state agreement. (2) The advice we received that established the existence of the state agreement did not prevent the arrangements being made under the Port Authorities Act. It will be of immense benefit to the state to facilitate the early development and completion of this project while the strong demand for iron ore continues.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The works that have proceeded at the port of Port Hedland have been undertaken under an arrangement between The Pilbara Infrastructure Pty Ltd and the Port Hedland Port Authority, acting under the Port Authorities Act 1999. The terms of the arrangement do not prejudice the proper operation of the state agreement. (2) The advice we received that established the existence of the state agreement did not prevent the arrangements being made under the Port Authorities Act. It will be of immense benefit to the state to facilitate the early development and completion of this project while the strong demand for iron ore continues.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The works that have proceeded at the port of Port Hedland have been undertaken under an arrangement between The Pilbara Infrastructure Pty Ltd and the Port Hedland Port Authority, acting under the Port Authorities Act 1999. The terms of the arrangement do not prejudice the proper operation of the state agreement. (2) The advice we received that established the existence of the state agreement did not prevent the arrangements being made under the Port Authorities Act. It will be of immense benefit to the state to facilitate the early development and completion of this project while the strong demand for iron ore continues.
(1) The works that have proceeded at the port of Port Hedland have been undertaken under an arrangement between The Pilbara Infrastructure Pty Ltd and the Port Hedland Port Authority, acting under the Port Authorities Act 1999. The terms of the arrangement do not prejudice the proper operation of the state agreement. (2) The advice we received that established the existence of the state agreement did not prevent the arrangements being made under the Port Authorities Act. It will be of immense benefit to the state to facilitate the early development and completion of this project while the strong demand for iron ore continues.
(2) The advice we received that established the existence of the state agreement did not prevent the arrangements being made under the Port Authorities Act. It will be of immense benefit to the state to facilitate the early development and completion of this project while the strong demand for iron ore continues.

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