EPA extends Oakajee port approvals

WA's Environmental Protection Authority has recommended that the developers of the Oakajee deepwater port be given an extra three years to start work under its existing environmental approvals.

Under the standing environmental approval, substantial works were required to commence at the port site 25 km north of Geraldton by the end of February next year.

The EPA recommended today that developer Oakajee Port & Rail, which is jointly owned by Murchison Metals and Mitsubishi Corporation, was now progressing detailed planning necessary to implement its proposal in order to commence construction in 2011. Given no additional factors had been identified by the EPA, the agency recommended a three year extension of the existing approvals, giving OPR until late February 2013 to commence substantial development.

Environmental approval for the project was originally granted in 1998.

OPR is targeting completion of the $4 billion Oakajee port and associated rail infrastructure in 2013-14. The state and federal government have each pledged $338 million for common user port infrastructure at the project, which is considered vital for the expansion of iron ore mining and other industry in the Mid-West.