Green light for Ashburton North estate

A new industrial area is set to be created at Ashburton North which is being considered by oil giants Chevron, Exxon Mobil and BHP Billiton Petroleum for development of gas reserves in the Carnarvon Basin and Exmouth Gulf.

Premier Colin Barnett made the announcement today, saying the area, located south-west of Onslow, would provide the opportunity to establish processing facilities for the commercialisation of recent and expected gas discoveries.

The potential Ashburton North site covers an area of up to 8,000 hectares, making it large enough to accommodate major liquefied natural gas developments and other prospective industry.

"Land in the Ashburton North area has already been earmarked for Chevron and
BHP Billiton Petroleum with Exxon Mobil to investigate the feasibility of establishing LNG facilities," the Premier said.

"In choosing to develop the site, the Government has taken into account community interests and the suggestions of the prospective users of the new precinct.

"Ashburton North is further from the town of Onslow than the existing Onslow industrial area and has ample room for future development.

"It has suitable access to the coast for LNG developments and will be able to accommodate a mix of future industrial activities."

Chevron is investigating the site to commercialise its Wheatstone gas discovery while BHP and Exxon are considering using the site to develop their Scarborough discovery.

"Chevron has committed to a domestic gas project as part of the Wheatstone development and BHP Billiton Petroleum is also investigating the potential of a domestic gas plant at Ashburton North based on gas from its Macedon field," Mr Barnett said.

The state government will now proceed with detailed planning for the industrial use of the Ashburton North site.

This will include a port precinct and multi-user facilities on the coastal strip, and a multi-user infrastructure corridor.