Question on Notice regarding the $52 million Kimberley Ports Authority budget allocation for a supply base to support oil and gas operations in the Browse Basin. The government is hesitant to release information due to legality, probity and confidentiality issues.

AnsweredQoN 928Legislative Council
Asked
21 September 2022
Portfolio
Ports

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the media statement '$1.3 billion to diversify WA and set up our State for the long-term' published on 12 May 2022, and specifically the $52 million Kimberley Ports Authority budget allocation announced "...for the construction of a supply base to support oil and gas operations in the Browse Basin, and for base infrastructure for an associated chemical storage facility in Broome", I ask: (a) which Department
proposed the allocation to the Expenditure Review Committee; (b) has a business case
been developed for the proposal and, if so, will the Premier table it: (i) if no to (b), why not; (c) has any independent
cost-benefit and social/environmental risk analysis of the project been
undertaken: (i) if yes to (c), will the Premier table it; and (ii) if no to (c), why not; (d) which company or
companies has the Government been in discussion with in relation to this
project; (e) where exactly is the
proposed location of this supply base; (f) will the Premier
provide a map of the proposed location; (g) how many hectares is
the area proposed as a supply base; (h) where can the public
access and view the detailed breakdown of expenditure for this project; (i) have any detailed
plans been developed for the proposed site and where can they be viewed by the
public; (j) what is the proposed
time frame for any site work commencing; (k) has the government
been in discussion with Woodside over this proposal and, if so, what has been
the outcome to date of those discussions; (l) what chemicals would
be processed and stored at the proposed site and how much volume of each would
be produced and stored; and (m) according to the 2022-23 State Budget Paper No. 3 on page 202, “The expenditure is
contingent on a contractual commitment by a third party to move a supply base
to Broome, with the third party to repay the $52 million investment over a 20
year period". Where would a supply
base be moved from and which third party would be involved?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
25 October 2022
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Ports
Response time
7 days
(a)                    Kimberley Ports Authority.
(b)-(d), (m)      Kimberley Ports Authority is currently seeking advice on the legality, probity and confidentiality issues around the release of this information.
(e)-(g)              Four hectares of Kimberley Ports Authority land on Port Drive has been identified for the Supply Base.
(h)                   Should the project proceed, cost analysis information will become available through the tender process.
(i)                    Such plans are in draft and will conclude as part of the tender process.
(j)                    If the project proceeds, it is proposed works would commence in approximately mid-2023.
(k)                   No.
(l)                    This will be finalised following the tender process.

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