Government backs EPA on Mandogalup

The state government has endorsed findings by the Environmental Protection Authority that will allow for urban development on a portion of land near an Alcoa waste dump in Perth’s southern suburbs.

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti announced today urban development would be allowed on land to the north-east of Alcoa’s Kwinana Residue Disposal Area in Mandogalup.

This followed an EPA report last year that found there was negligible health and amenity impact from dust in the area.

“We have taken advice from the Environmental Protection Authority on the level of dust in areas affected by the buffer that previously prevented many landowners from selling or subdividing their properties,” Ms Saffioti said.

The debate over the land has concerned landowners and developers including Satterley Property and Qube Property.

However, the Western Australian Planning Commission will start preparing a draft improvement plan over rural zoned land that is in the closest proximity to the RDA boundary.

This comes after the EPA found that, for a large parcel of land closer to the facility, air quality did not meet national standards or further investigation was necessary.

The purpose of the draft improvement plan is to further assess potential health and amenity impacts and to plan for future industrial use.  

Ms Saffioti said the Western Australian Planning Commission could now investigate the best possible use for this land.

“This will be the first step in developing a comprehensive plan for this area and assist in bringing some surety for landowners in the region,” she said.

“This approach will also ensure that the major industrial area of Kwinana and its future growth will be protected.”

Qube Property managing director Mark Hector said the group was pleased that the government had made a decision based on the recommendation of the EPA which now provided certainty for landowners regarding next steps in the planning process. 

"Given the WA Planning Commission will be co-ordinating the next phase of planning for the Mandogalup cell, we are hopeful that an independent and transparent outcome will be achieved for all stakeholders," he said. 

Satterley Property Nigel Satterley said it was a sensible outcome. 

"At last some of the long standing residents' property rights are being addressed," he said. 

"We are going to assist the owners with their endeavours to get the approvals for their land."