samples_for_annual_report

Environmental Impact Assessments

Overview of proposals that may impact your fishing operations

If you have any comments/concerns regarding any of this project/proposal, please contact WAFIC.

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North Coast Bioregion

  • Karratha: Eramurra Solar Salt Proposal

    Leichhardt Salt Pty Ltd is proposing to develop a solar salt project in the Cape Preston East area, approximately 55 km southwest of Karratha in WA.

    The proposal includes the development of a series of concentrator and crystalliser ponds and a processing plant. Supporting infrastructure includes seawater intake, bitterns outfall, desalination plant and groundwater bores, power supply and other infrastructure.

    Export of product would be via a previously approved trestle jetty at Cape Preston East Port. However, the proposal includes dredging at Cape Preston East Port with offshore and onshore dredge material disposal options.

    Disturbance would be up to 14,300 ha within the terrestrial ponds development envelope, 90 ha within the marine development envelope, and 320 ha within the dredge spoil disposal development envelope.

    The ERD was released for public review, in which WAFIC reviewed and made an industry informed submission to the EPA. WAFIC is waiting to receive a response to our submission.

  • Karratha: 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.

  • Cape Preston: Sino Iron Project

    CITIC Pacific Mining (CPM) plans to undertake a capital dredging programme at the Port of Cape Preston, where magnetite concentrate is exported. This dredging will return the harbour to natural depth and enable CPM contractors to utilise vessels with a deeper draft and larger capacity.

    CPM has already received approval through the EPA to undertake dredging and is authorised to approximately 4.5 million cubic metres of dredged material. CPM has now applied for a Sea Dumping Permit from DCCEEW to dispose of dredged material at an offshore DMPA.

    CPM has informed WAFIC that after having undertaken modelling of dredge plumes and evaluation of potential environmental impacts to marine and benthic organisms to support the Sea Dumping Permit Application, CPM does not believe there are potential impacts to commercial fisheries in the area. WAFIC has distributed information on this proposal to relevant licence holders and received minimal feedback.

  • Wyndham: Cambridge Gulf Marine Sand Proposal

    Boskalis Australia is proposing to source marine sands from Cambridge Gulf, north of Wyndham, for export to overseas construction projects.

    The proposal is vessel-based with life span of up to 15 years and will involve a Sand Production Vessel and a large Trailer Suction Hopper Dredger. The operational area is 100 km2 in the central part of Cambridge Gulf and is proposed to export up to 70 million cubic metres of sand over the 15-year project time frame.

    Given the impacts of dredging on the marine environment and the sheer scale of the project WAFIC’s made a submission to the EPA requesting a PER, which is the most extensive review option.

  • Buccaneer Archipelago: Tassal Ocean Barramundi Expansion Project

    Tassal propose to expand its barramundi farm operations to 7 sites spread across the Buccaneer Archipelago, in the Kimberley region. The proposed expansion will be staged over a 10-year period

  • Onslow: Water Corporation Seawater Desalination Plant 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.

Gascoyne Bioregion

  • Exmouth: Water Corporation 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.

  • Exmouth: Gascoyne Gateway Marine Complex Proposal

    Gascoyne Gateway proposes to build, own, and operate a multipurpose marine complex located approximately 10 kilometers south of Exmouth township. This facility will accommodate a variety of vessels, including, but not limited to, cruise liners, Defence and marine supply vessels, and support associated ecotourism activities.

    The proposal includes a land-based component designed to support the marine infrastructure, covering a 61.63 ha marine footprint within a 79.44 ha development envelope. Key elements of the proposal include fuel storage, solar energy production, a jetty and causeway (wharf), a desalination plant with brine discharge via a pipeline fixed to the jetty and causeway, construction and maintenance dredging for the shipping channel and turning basin and three anchorage locations within Exmouth Gulf. The ESD which WAFIC made a submission on, was approved in 2022.

    At the start of this year, the EPA granted approval for amendments to the proposal in response to the proponent’s request. These amendments include a reduction of the terrestrial area, while still maintaining elements that could significantly impact the marine environment (as outlined above). A complete list of the amendments to the proposal is available here. As a result of these changes, the EPA now requires the proponent to provide additional information before proceeding with the assessment.

    More information on this proposal is available on the EPA website here.

West Coast Bioregion

  • Alkimos: Water Corporation’s Seawater Desalination Plant 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.

  • Kalbarri: Murchison Green Hydrogen Proposal

    The Australian Government and Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) have awarded MGH project $814 million as part of its first Hydrogen Headstart funding round and has been awarded major project status by the Federal Minister for Industry and Science, a status which enables projects facing complex regulatory challenges to get extra support and coordinated approvals.

    The proposed location of the project is approximately 20 kilometres north of Kalbarri and includes a wind and solar farm, a desalination plant, a facility to produce green ammonia and an ammonia export facility, including a pipeline, export vessel mooring, and product transfer infrastructure.

    Towards the end of 2024, the project requested an amendment to its proposal under section 43A (s43A) of the EP Act and section 156A (s156A) of the EPBC Act. Although the amendment reduces the terrestrial footprint, it increases the marine footprint, expanding the indicative Marine Area from 566.7 hectares to 857.5 hectares. This includes the expansion of the marine export facility, additional dredging volume and longer pipeline lengths. A complete list of the amendments to the proposal is available here.

    MGH project timeframe has been updated, which can be viewed here. The ERD is now scheduled to be submitted to the EPA for assessment mid 2025, with a four-week PER period for community feedback expected in Q3 2025. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, lasting approximately five years.

    Given the scale of impact from a potential ammonia spill, as well as the effects of desalination and other associated marine infrastructure associated with this project on commercial fisheries and the marine environment, WAFIC will be making a submission in response to the ERD once it is released for comment.

  • Dongara: 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.

  • Cockburn Sound: 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.

  • Kwinana: Woodside H2 Proposal

    Woodside is proposing hydrogen production facility in Kwinana.  Woodside briefed WAFIC, identifying no impact to commercial fishing operations.

  • Bunbury: Offshore Wind Farm

    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.

    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.

South Coast Bioregion

  • Albany: Water Corporation Desalination Plant

    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.

  • Eucla: Western Green Energy Hub

    The Western Green Energy Hub is a proposal to design, construct and operate a large-scale wind and solar power project for green ammonia production. The proposal is located within a 2,269,015 hectare development envelope extending from the far southeast of Western Australia in the Shire of Dundas and City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, to the northwest of Eucla in the South Coast Region. The coastal and offshore components comprise a marine offloading facility, desalination plant, brine pipeline and an ammonia (or other vector) export pipeline, set within State Waters only, requiring 198 hectares of permanent seabed clearance.

    Given the scale of impact from a potential ammonia spill, as well as the effects of desalination and other associated marine infrastructure associated with this project on south coast commercial fisheries and the marine environment, WAFICs preferred option for decision by EPA is Assess – PER, which is the most extensive review option. The EPA has determined the proposal requires a PER, which aligned with WAFICs submission.