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

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) (a) The strategic assessment and Plan for the Browse LNG Precinct will be considered after it is submitted by the West Australian Government, the lead proponent. Once finalised and submitted the Minister will determine whether the proponent has adequately addressed all relevant matters.

The EPBC Act does not contain provisions to place strategic assessments 'on hold'.

  (b) The terms of reference for the strategic assessment report require an analysis of economically and technically feasible options outside the Kimberley.

(2) Yes.

(3) Yes.

(4) On 26 May 2011, a delegate from the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities determined, under the EPBC Act, that the proposal to build an access road to James Price Point was not a controlled action, if carried out in a particular manner. This decision requires Main Roads Western Australia to ensure measures are in place to minimise impacts on the Greater Bilby during road construction. In October 2011 the department received an ecological report prepared on behalf of two groups (the Goolarabooloo and the 'Broome No Gas Community') regarding the presence of Greater Bilby in the James Price Point area. The department has considered this new information, however, it does not alter the department's view regarding the likely significance of the works undertaken to date.

(5) The Minister is satisfied there are adequate measures in place to minimise impacts on the Greater Bilby during the construction of the access road to James Price Point.

(6) and (7) Yes. There is a proposal to establish a peer review panel outlined in the Browse LNG Precinct: Scope of the Strategic Assessment report prepared by the WA Government in 2010. However, preparation of a scoping report is not a requirement under the EPBC Act strategic assessment process.

(8) Once the strategic assessment and plan is finalised and submitted to the Minister for consideration, the Minister will determine whether the proponent has adequately addressed all relevant matters and, if necessary, whether any independent peer review is required.