EPA approves billion dollar harbour project
The BHP Billiton outer harbour plan has been approved at Port Hedland Photo: Port Hedland Port Authority
Western Australia's Environment Protection Authority has given approval for BHP Billiton’s outer harbour plan at Port Hedland - with only minor conditions.
BHP plans to spend eight years and more than $AUS20bn expanding its port facilities in the Pilbara region. It is designed to lift iron ore exports to 350 million tonnes by 2020, compared with the 159 million tonnes it expected to ship this year.
The project involves the construction of a four kilometre jetty, wharves and new ship loaders outside the existing port. It could eventually lift the company's exports to 450 million tonnes per year.
While the EPA stated that the project would have a negative impact on marine and mangrove environments, and that existing dust problems would be exacerbated, it concluded that those impacts could be managed in a way that allowed the project to proceed.
The EPA's recommendation will now be considered by the State’s Environment Minister and it will still requires Federal Government approval before work can begin.
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