The EPA has recommended a ‘very high’ level of protection for the Exmouth Gulf, after a year-long probe found the fragile area was under increasing pressure from uncoordinated activities.
The future of projects proposed for the Exmouth Gulf hang in the balance after a year-long probe by the state’s environmental watchdog found the fragile area was under increasing pressure and pushed for enhanced protections.
Today, the Environmental Protection Authority handed down its review of the state of the Gulf and how a suite of new and existing industrial, transportation, recreational fishing and tourism developments could potentially affect its environmental, social and cultural values.
The review was launched at the request of the state government last year and coincided with the submission of several major project proposals, including the Gascoyne Gateway Facility, K+S Salt proposal and Learmonth pipeline fabrication project.
In a statement released today, EPA chair professor Matthew Tonts said the history of development had contributed to changes to the pristine environment and that emerging presses were adding to these impacts.
“There is a risk that impacts from both existing and potential pressures may not be sustainable, so a high level of protection of the area needs to be a priority,” he said.
Professor Tonts said the lack of cohesive coordination or integrated management of activities in the Exmouth Gulf had elevated the risk across most of the values.
The report found many of the site's key values to be in ‘poor condition’, with coral damaged as a result of bleaching and habitat requirements threatened by ‘competing activities’.
The EPA has pushed for the establishment of a coordinating body to implement an integrated management approach for the protection and management of Exmouth Gulf and its sensitive areas, including the Qualing Pool, Camerons Cave, Cape Range Subterranean Waterway and the islands of Exmouth Gulf.
Further, it recommended any future activities be compatible with the protection of the site’s values and for decision-making bodies to apply particular scrutiny to developments that don’t fit the bill.
In the report, the EPA indicated the site’s protection could be strengthened by the avoidance of activities that could be pursued elsewhere and warned that proponents would need to demonstrate ‘explicit regard’ for the protection of the environment and Aboriginal heritage if they were to obtain approval.
It has also recommended proponents be required to demonstrate adaptation and resilience to climate change.
The EPA has vowed to scrutinise activities that lock-in pressures for prolonged periods and has pushed for the state government to review and update all relevant environmental and planning policies to reflect its recommendations.
Among the largest of the projects recently proposed for the area is the Gascoyne Gateway, a new single jetty deep-water port and renewables hub spanning 12 hectares south of Exmouth.
The project, which is being privately-funded, was awarded lead agency status by the state government just last year.
Gascoyne Gateway chief executive captain Michael Edwards was among the first representative of industry to respond to the report, noting that it did not preclude development, but highlighted the importance of adequately considering its impacts.
He said a properly regulated port would better mitigate existing impacts through more effective management of marine traffic and confirmed the company would continue to pursue its project and EPA approval.
“As Australia’s first green port, our project will deliver immediate environmental benefits to the Exmouth Gulf, while creating permanent, high quality jobs for Exmouth locals,” he said.
“In addition to working with the EPA, we will continue to consult with the Traditional Owners and the local Exmouth community about their aspirations for the region and our project.”
Subsea 7 announced it would terminate its EPA application for the Learmonth pipeline fabrication project near Exmouth in December last year following the state government’s decision to launch the review.
The project had faced staunch opposition from environmental groups, which had raised concerns about the impact of 10-kilometre long towing pipelines from their onshore assembly area to offshore gas fields and their impact on dugong foraging grounds and a whale nursery.
Multinational salt and potash producer K+S Group is also progressing a major project in the region, after announcing plans to develop a $350 million Ashburton Salt project south-west of Onslow in 2016.
Upon the announcement of the review, the company indicated it would await the results before preparing its submission to the EPA.
Protect Ningaloo director Paul Gamblin said the EPA had made it clear that the Exmouth Gulf was fragile, of global importance and that large gaps in knowledge remained.
“The EPA has now provided Minister [Amber-Jade] Sanderson with all the justification she needs to take the next step and confirm that the WA Government will not contemplate industrial development proposals for Exmouth Gulf," he said.
"This must mark the end of this era of uncertainty once and for all.
“The Minister has the opportunity to create an outstanding legacy for Exmouth Gulf, Ningaloo, providing certainty that it will no longer be threatened by industrial projects and instead will be protected to support the renowned tourism industry, growing marine research programs, cultural tourism and other low-impact, compatible economic activity."
