Overview and update of major projects or proposals that may impact your fishing operations
Overview and update of Major Proposals that Require Environmental Impact Assessment
Important Acronyms:
- EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment
- EPA – Environmental Protection Authority
- ESD – Environmental Scoping Document (outlines the scope, timing and procedure for the environmental review)
- ERD – Environmental Review Document
- PER – Public Environmental Review
- EP Act – Environmental Protection Act 1986
- DCCEEW – Department Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
- EPBC – Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
- EPBC Act – Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- DMPA – Dredge Material Placement Area
Keraudren Phase 3 Marine Seismic Survey Environment Plan
Santos has advised industry it is proposing to carry out a marine seismic survey within Commonwealth waters of the Bedout Basin between January and June 2028, subject to obtaining all regulatory and business approvals.
An Environment Plan (EP) is being prepared for the proposed activities and will have validity of five years, once accepted. The survey will be conducted approximately 130 kilometres north-east of Port Hedland, and 64 kilometres north of Cartaminia on the West Australian coastline at the closest point.
SubCom – Phase 2 – Cable Installation for Future Fibre Optic Cable
GHD / SubCom have shared advice and information about conducting telecommunication cable installation operations for the subsea fibre optic communications cables, Umoja and Talaylink, off Perth, Australia.
The work will take place off the Mandurah coastline with the first 15 kilometres of cable from shore being buried by a team of divers. This work is currently scheduled from April to May 2026, but this is subject to change due to weather and permits.
Woodside has undertaken consultation for three projects.
CK4 and LH3 Well Intervention Environment Plan
Woodside is planning to submit the CK4 and LH3 Well Intervention Environment Plan (EP). The Cossack-4H (CK4) and Lambert-3 (LH3) well intervention is within the Woodside Burrup Pty Ltd Petroleum Licence Area WA-9-L and WA-16-L, located within Commonwealth waters ~135 km north-west of Dampier.
Woodside are currently seeking feedback from relevant persons whose functions, interests or activities may be affected by the proposed activity in accordance with the intended outcome of consultation.
Angel CCS Geophysical and Geotechnical Surveys
Woodside is consulting with fishers regarding its Angel Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
Geophysical and Geotechnical (GPGT) Surveys.
The Angel CCS GPGT Surveys will provide data for aspects of the Angel CCS Project, an opportunity identified off Dampier in the North-West region of Western Australia (WA). Data from the surveys is intended to inform the design of pipeline and umbilical routes, subsea structure foundation locations and planning for mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) anchoring or jack-up rig placement.
Goodwyn Alpha (GWA) Facility Operations Environment Plan (EP)
Woodside is preparing to submit a five-year revision of the Goodwyn Alpha (GWA) Facility Operations Environment Plan (EP). The GWA facility is located in Commonwealth waters approximately 138 kilometres north-west of Dampier and 23 kilometres south-west of the Woodside-operated North Rankin Complex.
The current GWA Facility Operations EP was accepted in January 2022. This revision incorporates updates including Greater Western Flank (GWF) infrastructure and associated activities.
Offshore Wind Bunbury
The Australian Government has recently granted feasibility licences for three proposed offshore wind projects in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Bunbury.
- Bunbury Offshore Wind Project – North (Bunbury Offshore Wind Farm Pty Ltd)
- Bunbury Offshore Wind Project – South (Bunbury Offshore Wind Pty Ltd)
- Westward Wind Project (Westward Wind Pty Ltd)
A feasibility licence can last up to seven years. During this time, no wind turbines are installed.
Licence holders will investigate whether the projects are viable and seek environmental approvals and prepare management plans.
What activities may occur during the feasibility stage:
Activities may include:
- Marine and environmental surveys, including vessel-based work and the deployment of equipment such as lidar buoys to measure wind and ocean conditions
- Environmental impact assessments under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- Consultation with existing marine users, including commercial and recreational fishers, to understand current fishing activity and potential interactions
Protections for existing marine users:
Before any feasibility activities begin, licence holders must have a management plan approved by the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator. This plan must explain how activities will be managed to co-exist with existing users, including commercial fishing.
Construction can only begin after the feasibility stage is completed and the licence holder has gained all environmental and management plan approvals. The licence holder will need to apply for and receive a commercial licence to begin construction.
Consultation on the potential offshore wind project will continue to occur throughout the life of any project.
Westport Proposal
WAFIC’s holds significant concern regarding the potential impacts of the Westport proposal on the viability and future of commercial fishing operations within Cockburn Sound, as well as the extensive impacts on marine life in the area, especially the pink snapper aggregations and sea grass.
WAFIC and commercial fishers have attended multiple Westport meetings since consultation began. Since the commencement of Westport meetings, commercial fishers have repeatedly sought clarity on what compensation arrangements will apply if the proposal impacts the sustainability of their fisheries. However, neither DPIRD nor the Westport Project Team has been able to provide a clear answer.
Following this ongoing uncertainty, WAFIC has written to the Minister seeking urgent clarification on whether DPIRD or the Westport Project Team will be responsible for overseeing compensation arrangements should commercial fishing operations or fishery sustainability be adversely impacted by the project. WAFIC has not yet received a response from the Minister, but WAFIC will inform industry once a response is provided.
Eureka Marine Seismic Survey
Despite objections by WAFIC and other stakeholders, NOPSEMA has approved Pilot Energy’s 3D Marine Seismic survey off Dongara. The survey is scheduled to commence in February – March 2027/2028.
Throughout the consultation process, WAFIC made multiple submissions to both Pilot Energy and NOPSEMA, highlighting the significant risks this activity poses to our fisheries, the marine environment, and the livelihoods of fishers. WAFIC also made a formal request for Pilot Energy to undertake further research on seismic impacts on Western Rock Octopus, which was dismissed by Pilot Energy.
Following NOPSEMA’s approval, WAFIC wrote to the Minister to formally raise unresolved concerns held by WAFIC and commercial fishers that require attention. WAFIC was then requested, along with other impacted stakeholders, to provide a further submission identifying impacts and issues.
Optimised Mardie Project
BCI Minerals is currently constructing a salt project and export facility, located at Mardie, 80 kilometres south-west of Karratha. The construction of the marine structures, including the jetty, is now 74% complete. A significant amount of dredging is required to achieve the necessary depth for both the berth pocket and a 4.9-kilometre channel leading to deeper water.
Originally, approval was granted for the disposal of dredge spoil on land; however, BCI Minerals ha made the relevant applications to change the disposal site to an offshore DMPA.
After WAFICs objections to the proposal, Mardie received federal approval under EPBC Act to dispose dredge spoil offshore.
H2 Perth Project
Woodside is proposing hydrogen production facility in Kwinana. Woodside briefed WAFIC, identifying no impact to commercial fishing operations.
If you have any concerns/question with this proposal, please get in touch with WAFIC.
Desalination Projects/Proposals Updates
Albany Desalination Proposal:
After plans for seawater desalination in Frenchman Bay were ruled out, Water Corporation are now investigating new areas for potential seawater desalination near Albany.
Water Corporation has advised WAFIC that Nanarup has been selected as the preferred area for a desalination plant in Albany.
Please find attached Water Corporations latest project update with further information on this decision. A summary of the Multi Criteria Assessment used to select the location is available on Water Corporations website.
Further information including fact sheets and maps with the site options can also be found on the project webpage. WAFIC will share more information with potentially impacted licence holders following a briefing from Water Corporation and as more information becomes available.
If desalination in Nanarup is of concern to your operations, or if you have any feedback, please contact WAFIC. WAFIC can relay any comments/questions to Water Corporation.
Alkimos Desalination Marine Construction:
Water Corporation has advised WAFIC that marine construction for the Alkimos Desalination Plant is scheduled to commence in mid-December 2025 and is expected to be completed by mid-2026.
Two construction barges will operate at both intake and outfall locations during January and February 2026. From March 2026, one barge will continue operating at the outfall location until construction is completed. Marine exclusion zones will be in place around both locations for the duration of the works.
Please refer to the attached information here for details on the locations of the exclusion zones.
Water Corporation has requested fishers to remove all equipment from the marine exclusion zone as soon as possible and stay clear of the area during construction. Removal of fishing gear such as cray pots and octopus traps from the area will ensure gear is not inadvertently damaged.
Water Corporation has confirmed that DOT temporary notice to mariners (Exclusion Zones) came into effect from Wednesday, 10 December.
Exmouth Gulf Desalination Proposal:
Water Corporation are investigation three sites for desalination in Exmouth Gulf and completed several studies across the three proposed sites, including a review of fishing and prawning areas and vessel movements within the Gulf.
Water Corporation are planning further environmental and technical assessments, including offshore geophysical and geotechnical surveys supported by an underwater noise modelling assessment.
Water Corporation has advised that it will confirm the preferred location for the proposed seawater desalination plant in early 2026.
Please refer to the attachment here, for further information.
Great Southern Water Source and Desalination:
After plans for seawater desalination in Frenchman Bay were ruled out, Water Corporation are now investigating new areas for potential seawater desalination near Albany.
The areas are:
- Nanarup
- South Coast – Sandpatch
Further information including fact sheets and maps with the site options can also be found on the project webpage. WAFIC will share more information with potentially impacted licence holders following a briefing from Water Corporation and as more information becomes available.
Onslow Desalination Marine Construction:
Construction of the Onslow Desalination Plant is on track to be completed in early to mid-2026.
The marine pipelines in Beadon Bay have now been installed. The final stage — installation of the intake structure at the plant site — is due for completion by end of December 2025.
If you have any concerns/question with any of Water Corporations projects or proposals, please get in touch with WAFIC or contact Water Corporation’s Community Engagement Team directly via email [email protected].