The Shire of Roebourne wants to be part of the planning process for a proposed iron ore project on the Fortescue River.
The project on Mardie Station, about 50 kilometres south of Karratha, has been dormant for at least four years.
However, shire chief executive Allan Moles says in the past four months the exploration activity has accelerated.
A Chinese partner, Citic Pacific, has proposed building a $2.6 billion pellet plant and port there.
Mr Moles says he does not know if a state agreement made with the company Mineralogy has removed the need for local government development approval.
He has asked the Department of Industry and Resources what the proposed land use requirements are and for any information about the project.
"Well, with any new development in the shire it has the potential to have an impact on the services and facilities we have, regardless of whether or not it's located in town or out of town," he said.
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