EPA Approval for Oakajee
12 Mar 2011
Oakajee Port
The Western Australian EPA has recommended approval of the Oakajee Port & Rail iron ore port development and rail infrastructure in the State’s mid-west region.
It decided that the proposed 45mt per annum port, 24km north of Geraldton, together with the railway extending 570km north-east to the Jack Hills iron ore project, could be managed to meet the EPA’s objectives in respect of noise, dust, native vegetation and habitat. OPR would have to ensure any damage to "significant flora and vegetation" was confined to 50m of the rail and for sites to be inspected by a zoologist. OPR has also agreed to build underpasses every 100m in the most sensitive areas to try to stop fauna populations becoming fragmented and the purchase of "offset" parcels of land for mitigation measures. The recommendation now goes to the WA Minister for Environment with approval expected by mid 2011. First exports are expected late 2014.
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