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

I thank Senator Ludlam for his question. The minister for the environment has approved the proposed Olympic Dam expansion under national environmental law, imposing in excess of 100 stringent conditions. Minister Burke approved the proposed Olympic Dam expansion on 10 October this year. The approval conditions and the assessment report are available to the public on the department's website. The minister's decision was informed by expert advice on the assessment information from Geoscience Australia, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency and the Supervising Scientist. The minister also took into account public submissions on BHP Billiton's environmental impact statement and comments from relevant ministers.

The approval conditions require BHP Billiton to strictly manage or avoid any environmental impacts not just during operations but well beyond the life of the project. The conditions apply to all parts of the project, including the proposed desalination plant in the upper Spencer Gulf, and will ensure that the gulf and its marine life, including the giant cuttlefish, are protected. The measures that the company will use to achieve these goals must all be detailed in an extensive and thorough environmental management and monitoring program which must be approved by the minister before work can begin. Ongoing monitoring will ensure that any issue can be addressed immediately and the program must be reviewed every three years to ensure it remains effective over time and takes account of the latest scientific information. BHP Billiton must also do a comprehensive review every 10 years to ensure they are using the best practical technology to minimise environmental impacts and risks. The conditions require BHP Billiton to develop for Mr Burke's approval— (Time expired)