EPA makes call on changes to Browse to North West Shelf project proposal, paving way for final recommendation
There are a number changes requested by the energy giant which will now be part of the final approval.
Some elements include conditions not allowing planned flaring at drilling units during night hours, the exclusion of drill centres within 20km of Sandy Islet, reducing the proposed development area to 78.3sqm, and increased technology measures to minimise the risk of a loss-of-well control event.
The changes were put out for public comment, in an unusual move by the State Environmental Protection Authority.
More than 17,700 submissions received by the EPA across the four-week period in May and June.
The issues presented in the submissions included the impact on marine wildlife, fears over unproven tech to reduce consequences of a 'loss-of-well-control' event and the overlap between the project and Scott Feef.
EPA chair Darren Walsh said a multitude of opinions were considered in coming to the decision.
'The EPA considered the matters raised during consultation as well as the proponent's responses to submissions and we have concluded that the amendments don't change the previously identified key environmental factors.' he said.
'The amended proposal remains a development to extract hydrocarbons from the Torosa reservoir in Western Australian State waters.'
The EPA will now finalise its assessment and make a report and recommendation to the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn which will be subject to a three-week public appeal period.
Following the consultation period, Mr Swinbourn will make a decision on the proposal.
A Woodside spokesperson said the company welcomed the decision and looked forward to having the assessment finalised.
'Woodside welcomes the WA Environmental Protection Authority's decision to approve the amendment to the Browse to North West Shelf Project State proposal,' he said.
'Since we referred the Browse to NWS Project to environmental regulators in 2018, we have continued to collect scientific data and monitor advances in industry best practice environmental measures.
'This work informed the proposal amendments, which demonstrate our commitment to further avoid and minimise potential environmental impacts from the proposed Browse development.
'We look forward to the EPA finalising its assessment and recommendation to the Minister by the end of the year, as it has previously advised.'
The move comes as discussions on approval for an extension of the NWS project between the fossil fuel giant and the Federal Government continue.
Earlier this week Roger Cook said he wanted to see the approval come sooner rather than later.
'I met with Minister Murray Watt last week, who provided me with an update in relation to the conversations that are taking place between Woodside and the Federal Environmental Department,' he said.
'My understanding is that those conversations are ongoing, they are informed and they are collaborative.
'I'm not aware that there's any particular concerns in relation to that, but clearly these are more delays, and we want to see those approvals provided as soon as possible.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
18 hours ago
- West Australian
EPA makes call on changes to Browse to North West Shelf project proposal, paving way for final recommendation
Woodside's amendments to its Browse to North West Shelf proposal will be allowed to be part of its Environmental Protection Authority submission, the body has confirmed. There are a number changes requested by the energy giant which will now be part of the final approval. Some elements include conditions not allowing planned flaring at drilling units during night hours, the exclusion of drill centres within 20km of Sandy Islet, reducing the proposed development area to 78.3sqm, and increased technology measures to minimise the risk of a loss-of-well control event. The changes were put out for public comment, in an unusual move by the State Environmental Protection Authority. More than 17,700 submissions received by the EPA across the four-week period in May and June. The issues presented in the submissions included the impact on marine wildlife, fears over unproven tech to reduce consequences of a 'loss-of-well-control' event and the overlap between the project and Scott Feef. EPA chair Darren Walsh said a multitude of opinions were considered in coming to the decision. 'The EPA considered the matters raised during consultation as well as the proponent's responses to submissions and we have concluded that the amendments don't change the previously identified key environmental factors.' he said. 'The amended proposal remains a development to extract hydrocarbons from the Torosa reservoir in Western Australian State waters.' The EPA will now finalise its assessment and make a report and recommendation to the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn which will be subject to a three-week public appeal period. Following the consultation period, Mr Swinbourn will make a decision on the proposal. A Woodside spokesperson said the company welcomed the decision and looked forward to having the assessment finalised. 'Woodside welcomes the WA Environmental Protection Authority's decision to approve the amendment to the Browse to North West Shelf Project State proposal,' he said. 'Since we referred the Browse to NWS Project to environmental regulators in 2018, we have continued to collect scientific data and monitor advances in industry best practice environmental measures. 'This work informed the proposal amendments, which demonstrate our commitment to further avoid and minimise potential environmental impacts from the proposed Browse development. 'We look forward to the EPA finalising its assessment and recommendation to the Minister by the end of the year, as it has previously advised.' The move comes as discussions on approval for an extension of the NWS project between the fossil fuel giant and the Federal Government continue. Earlier this week Roger Cook said he wanted to see the approval come sooner rather than later. 'I met with Minister Murray Watt last week, who provided me with an update in relation to the conversations that are taking place between Woodside and the Federal Environmental Department,' he said. 'My understanding is that those conversations are ongoing, they are informed and they are collaborative. 'I'm not aware that there's any particular concerns in relation to that, but clearly these are more delays, and we want to see those approvals provided as soon as possible.'
ABC News
20 hours ago
- ABC News
EPA accepts Woodside's amendments to proposed Browse Basin gas project
Western Australia's environmental watchdog will proceed with its assessment of a major gas extraction proposal near a heritage-listed reef, after a gas giant changed its plan six years after the process began. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) published its acceptance of oil and gas company Woodside's amendments to its Browse Basin project on Thursday, determining it was of the "same character" as its earlier proposal. The EPA has been assessing Woodside's plan to extract gas from the Torosa reservoir on the Browse Basin, 430 kilometres off the Kimberley coast, since 2019. But in May, Woodside lodged five amendments to the application, which it "expected to result in lower risk of impact to the West Australian environment". The amendments reduced the size of the project's footprint from 1,220 square kilometres, and the company said it would no longer include shallow water near the heritage-listed Scott Reef. Woodside said the amendments would also bring drilling operations away from key habitats critical for marine turtles. The planned extraction has long been met with resistance from environmental groups, who say industry at Browse would cause irreparable damage to marine environments, particularly the Scott Reef. Following Woodside's application, the EPA took the "unusual" step of re-opening public consultation, with the four-week process attracting more than 17,000 additional submissions. EPA chair Darren Walsh said submissions raised concerns over environmental impacts to marine environments and the use of "unproven" technologies. He said the EPA concluded "the amendments don't change the previously identified key environmental factors". The agency will now finalise its assessment of the proposal and will provide a report to WA's environment minister, which will then be subject to a three-week public appeal period. A Woodside spokesperson welcomed the decision and said since lodging the application in 2018, the company had "continued to collect scientific data and monitor advances in industry best practice environmental measures". "This work informed the proposal amendments, which demonstrate our commitment to further avoid and minimise potential environmental impacts from the proposed Browse development," the spokesperson said. The ABC has contacted the Conservation Council of WA for comment. The EPA's decision comes amid a big week of discussion over the impacts of fossil fuel extraction on WA's north-west coast. Last week, the Australian Institute of Marine Science published a report detailing "unprecedented" coral bleaching on WA's north west coast, which spurred anti-Woodside protests in Perth over the weekend. This week, Pilbara traditional owner Raelene Cooper appeared in federal court, calling on the federal government to make a decision on the protection of rock art on the Murujuga Cultural landscape, which borders Woodside's North West Shelf project. The North West Shelf project is a major extension of the lifetime of gas processing facilities on the Pilbara coast, and is where gas extracted from the Browse Basin would be processed.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Red tape on chopping block in bid to build homes faster
The need to simplify the regulation of housing and environmental approvals has received widespread support at a major economic reform summit. But the devil, as always, is in the detail and divisions remain over the specifics. Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised "win-wins" on Wednesday morning at day two of his economic reform roundtable and unions and business found one in a plan to simplify the National Construction Code. Housing Minister Clare O'Neil garnered broad support over the need for a pause to the National Construction Code for the life of the housing accord, which runs until mid-2029 and sets a target for 1.2 million new homes. Changes to the code that deal with safety issues such as fireproofing would be exempt from a pause. But a broader rewrite was also possible. Master Builders Australia has been pushing for a review into "non-essential" changes, including EV charging requirements, which they argue increase the cost and complexity of building new homes. Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil said it was important to keep improving energy efficiency of new homes but acknowledged the nearly-3000 page document was "clunky", and called for more support for modular housing. Not all were on board with the pause. Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Cassandra Goldie was concerned about it leading to poorer housing quality, while outspoken Labor backbencher Ed Husic told the ABC it would mean "repeating the bad mistakes of the coalition". The opposition took a 10-year pause of the code to the last election, a policy which was not supported by Labor at the time, but Treasury advised pausing changes to the code in a document leaked ahead of the roundtable. The ACTU's Ms O'Neil agreed with business groups and the superannuation industry that there was need to reform the super performance test, which disincentivised long-term investments in housing and clean energy. There was also support for reforming the Howard-era Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation rules. Unions, employer groups and environmentalists all agreed the act was no longer fit for purpose. They want a new act that provides faster decisions for projects from mining to housing. Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien said he would be as constructive as he could but would hold fire on supporting either of the proposals until he saw more details from Labor. Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said there was consensus for the creation of a national environment protection agency, but the "devil is in the detail". While business groups want the EPA to only deal with compliance and not project approvals, Ms O'Shanassy said you needed an independent regulator that is held to account for the speed and quality of its decisions. "So I would put to the folks who don't like the idea of a national EPA making decisions: what's your plan to get better, faster, more predictable decisions for your company and better outcomes for nature?" she said. NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, who is representing all the states and territories at the roundtable, said he wanted the federal government's $900 million productivity fund increased, calling it an "excellent start". Increasing the fund could help other states and territories follow NSW's lead in adopting artificial intelligence to speed up planning approvals, he said. Regulation of AI has been a major dividing line between employers and unions heading into the roundtable, with the ACTU calling for the government to force employers to consult with staff before introducing AI tools to the workplace. But Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said there was little conflict with the peak union body in discussions about AI on Wednesday afternoon. The need to simplify the regulation of housing and environmental approvals has received widespread support at a major economic reform summit. But the devil, as always, is in the detail and divisions remain over the specifics. Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised "win-wins" on Wednesday morning at day two of his economic reform roundtable and unions and business found one in a plan to simplify the National Construction Code. Housing Minister Clare O'Neil garnered broad support over the need for a pause to the National Construction Code for the life of the housing accord, which runs until mid-2029 and sets a target for 1.2 million new homes. Changes to the code that deal with safety issues such as fireproofing would be exempt from a pause. But a broader rewrite was also possible. Master Builders Australia has been pushing for a review into "non-essential" changes, including EV charging requirements, which they argue increase the cost and complexity of building new homes. Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil said it was important to keep improving energy efficiency of new homes but acknowledged the nearly-3000 page document was "clunky", and called for more support for modular housing. Not all were on board with the pause. Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Cassandra Goldie was concerned about it leading to poorer housing quality, while outspoken Labor backbencher Ed Husic told the ABC it would mean "repeating the bad mistakes of the coalition". The opposition took a 10-year pause of the code to the last election, a policy which was not supported by Labor at the time, but Treasury advised pausing changes to the code in a document leaked ahead of the roundtable. The ACTU's Ms O'Neil agreed with business groups and the superannuation industry that there was need to reform the super performance test, which disincentivised long-term investments in housing and clean energy. There was also support for reforming the Howard-era Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation rules. Unions, employer groups and environmentalists all agreed the act was no longer fit for purpose. They want a new act that provides faster decisions for projects from mining to housing. Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien said he would be as constructive as he could but would hold fire on supporting either of the proposals until he saw more details from Labor. Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said there was consensus for the creation of a national environment protection agency, but the "devil is in the detail". While business groups want the EPA to only deal with compliance and not project approvals, Ms O'Shanassy said you needed an independent regulator that is held to account for the speed and quality of its decisions. "So I would put to the folks who don't like the idea of a national EPA making decisions: what's your plan to get better, faster, more predictable decisions for your company and better outcomes for nature?" she said. NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, who is representing all the states and territories at the roundtable, said he wanted the federal government's $900 million productivity fund increased, calling it an "excellent start". Increasing the fund could help other states and territories follow NSW's lead in adopting artificial intelligence to speed up planning approvals, he said. Regulation of AI has been a major dividing line between employers and unions heading into the roundtable, with the ACTU calling for the government to force employers to consult with staff before introducing AI tools to the workplace. But Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said there was little conflict with the peak union body in discussions about AI on Wednesday afternoon. The need to simplify the regulation of housing and environmental approvals has received widespread support at a major economic reform summit. But the devil, as always, is in the detail and divisions remain over the specifics. Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised "win-wins" on Wednesday morning at day two of his economic reform roundtable and unions and business found one in a plan to simplify the National Construction Code. Housing Minister Clare O'Neil garnered broad support over the need for a pause to the National Construction Code for the life of the housing accord, which runs until mid-2029 and sets a target for 1.2 million new homes. Changes to the code that deal with safety issues such as fireproofing would be exempt from a pause. But a broader rewrite was also possible. Master Builders Australia has been pushing for a review into "non-essential" changes, including EV charging requirements, which they argue increase the cost and complexity of building new homes. Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil said it was important to keep improving energy efficiency of new homes but acknowledged the nearly-3000 page document was "clunky", and called for more support for modular housing. Not all were on board with the pause. Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Cassandra Goldie was concerned about it leading to poorer housing quality, while outspoken Labor backbencher Ed Husic told the ABC it would mean "repeating the bad mistakes of the coalition". The opposition took a 10-year pause of the code to the last election, a policy which was not supported by Labor at the time, but Treasury advised pausing changes to the code in a document leaked ahead of the roundtable. The ACTU's Ms O'Neil agreed with business groups and the superannuation industry that there was need to reform the super performance test, which disincentivised long-term investments in housing and clean energy. There was also support for reforming the Howard-era Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation rules. Unions, employer groups and environmentalists all agreed the act was no longer fit for purpose. They want a new act that provides faster decisions for projects from mining to housing. Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien said he would be as constructive as he could but would hold fire on supporting either of the proposals until he saw more details from Labor. Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said there was consensus for the creation of a national environment protection agency, but the "devil is in the detail". While business groups want the EPA to only deal with compliance and not project approvals, Ms O'Shanassy said you needed an independent regulator that is held to account for the speed and quality of its decisions. "So I would put to the folks who don't like the idea of a national EPA making decisions: what's your plan to get better, faster, more predictable decisions for your company and better outcomes for nature?" she said. NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, who is representing all the states and territories at the roundtable, said he wanted the federal government's $900 million productivity fund increased, calling it an "excellent start". Increasing the fund could help other states and territories follow NSW's lead in adopting artificial intelligence to speed up planning approvals, he said. Regulation of AI has been a major dividing line between employers and unions heading into the roundtable, with the ACTU calling for the government to force employers to consult with staff before introducing AI tools to the workplace. But Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said there was little conflict with the peak union body in discussions about AI on Wednesday afternoon. The need to simplify the regulation of housing and environmental approvals has received widespread support at a major economic reform summit. But the devil, as always, is in the detail and divisions remain over the specifics. Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised "win-wins" on Wednesday morning at day two of his economic reform roundtable and unions and business found one in a plan to simplify the National Construction Code. Housing Minister Clare O'Neil garnered broad support over the need for a pause to the National Construction Code for the life of the housing accord, which runs until mid-2029 and sets a target for 1.2 million new homes. Changes to the code that deal with safety issues such as fireproofing would be exempt from a pause. But a broader rewrite was also possible. Master Builders Australia has been pushing for a review into "non-essential" changes, including EV charging requirements, which they argue increase the cost and complexity of building new homes. Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil said it was important to keep improving energy efficiency of new homes but acknowledged the nearly-3000 page document was "clunky", and called for more support for modular housing. Not all were on board with the pause. Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Cassandra Goldie was concerned about it leading to poorer housing quality, while outspoken Labor backbencher Ed Husic told the ABC it would mean "repeating the bad mistakes of the coalition". The opposition took a 10-year pause of the code to the last election, a policy which was not supported by Labor at the time, but Treasury advised pausing changes to the code in a document leaked ahead of the roundtable. The ACTU's Ms O'Neil agreed with business groups and the superannuation industry that there was need to reform the super performance test, which disincentivised long-term investments in housing and clean energy. There was also support for reforming the Howard-era Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation rules. Unions, employer groups and environmentalists all agreed the act was no longer fit for purpose. They want a new act that provides faster decisions for projects from mining to housing. Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien said he would be as constructive as he could but would hold fire on supporting either of the proposals until he saw more details from Labor. Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said there was consensus for the creation of a national environment protection agency, but the "devil is in the detail". While business groups want the EPA to only deal with compliance and not project approvals, Ms O'Shanassy said you needed an independent regulator that is held to account for the speed and quality of its decisions. "So I would put to the folks who don't like the idea of a national EPA making decisions: what's your plan to get better, faster, more predictable decisions for your company and better outcomes for nature?" she said. NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, who is representing all the states and territories at the roundtable, said he wanted the federal government's $900 million productivity fund increased, calling it an "excellent start". Increasing the fund could help other states and territories follow NSW's lead in adopting artificial intelligence to speed up planning approvals, he said. Regulation of AI has been a major dividing line between employers and unions heading into the roundtable, with the ACTU calling for the government to force employers to consult with staff before introducing AI tools to the workplace. But Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said there was little conflict with the peak union body in discussions about AI on Wednesday afternoon.
