opr receives commonwealth environmental approv

Source http://www.opandr.com/images/opandr---cahro.pdf



Thursday 27 October 2011
OPR RECEIVES COMMONWEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVAL
Oakajee Port and Rail (OPR) has received environmental approval for the third and final component of
its project - Port Terrestrial - under the Commonwealth Environment, Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The project was referred to Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and
Communities (SEWPaC) in three components; Port Marine Development, Port Terrestrial Development,
and Rail Development.
All components have now received Commonwealth approval.
Chief Executive, John Langoulant AO, welcomed the approval and recognised SEWPaC’s proactive
engagement during the assessment and review process.
“We have worked closely and transparently with SEWPaC, and the Commonwealth’s approval reflects
OPR’s dedication to ensure that matters of national environmental significance are protected,” Mr
Langoulant said.
Extensive flora and fauna surveys and comprehensive modelling and validation programs were
completed over a number of years, with OPR acknowledged by the State Environmental Protection
Authority for setting a new benchmark in Environmental Impact Assessment for similar projects in WA.
As part of the Port Marine component OPR conducted three years worth of baseline monitoring for
marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins, using a combination of land, boat and aerial surveys.
The Commonwealth’s conditional approval is consistent with State’s draft environmental approval
conditions and commitments OPR made during the assessment process.
“OPR’s strong commitment to minimise impacts to the environment during the planning phases of the
project, combined with comprehensive baseline environmental data and community engagement on
environmental issues, has significantly contributed to the success of our applications to the
Commonwealth.”
At the State level, environmental approval under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA)
is well advanced and with the Minister for Environment’s office for approval.
ENDS