Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Siewert for her question. As you would be aware, we are working with the Western Australian government on a strategic assessment of this proposal. The strategic assessment process requires all potential environmental heritage and social impacts to be fully assessed. The proposal will proceed only if approved by both the Western Australian government and Minister Burke. Minister Burke visited the Kimberley earlier this month and in November last year.

Public comments on the strategic assess­ment closed on 28 March 2011. Recent reports have noted that a majority of traditional owners agree to support a liquefied natural gas precinct at James Price Point. The proposal is still subject to a strategic assessment under national environ­mental law. The government will be in a position to make a decision on the plan to develop the precinct once all matters required by the terms of the strategic assess­ment have been appropriately investigated.

Minister Burke has been advised that there have been two referrals in relation to a road to James Price Point. The first was a four metre wide track. Minister Burke has also been advised that in November last year a Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities delegate determined that the proposal was not a controlled action. The depart­ment has determined that the access track was unlikely to have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance. The second proposal from the Western Australian government for a 45-kilometre sealed road is also being determined. This proposal was not a controlled action.

Minister Burke has been advised that Woodside has been in contact with the department regarding the clearing of up to 25 hectares of vegetation at James Price Point. Minister Burke is aware that departmental officers have reviewed the proposal and have concluded that significant impacts on matters of national environmental significance are unlikely. In its consideration of the proposal, the department took a precautionary approach. This included assuming the greater bilby— (Time expired)