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.