More time for proposed Albany Port expansion

The Environmental Protection Authority has approved an additional five years for the Albany Port Expansion Project to start.

Proponent Southern Ports Authority proposes to dredge 12 million cubic metres of sediments in the widening and deepening of the existing shipping channel into Princess Royal Harbour.

The project would also extend the shipping channel into King George Sound and allow access of cape-size vessels to Albany Port.

The proponent requested a timeframe extension in 2014, which was granted by the Minister for Environment, allowing the project's starting date to extend until November 18, 2020.

A report on the proponent's application released by the EPA yesterday said another time extension was requested in September 2020.

“The proponent has not yet substantially commenced implementation of the proposal,” the report said.

“In response to the proponent’s request, on October 1, 2020, the Minister for Environment requested that the EPA inquire into and report on the matter of changing the implementation conditions relating to the Albany Port Expansion Project proposal.

“This report satisfies the requirements of the EPA’s inquiry.”

The EPA inquiry concluded there were no new significant or additional information to justify a reassessment of the marine environmental quality factor.

“The requested change relates only to the timeframe for substantial commencement of the proposal and does not include any other change to elements of the proposal,” it said.

A condition of the updated time limit is for the proponent to start the project before 22 June 2027 and for any commencement within the five-year period to be substantial.

Southern Ports was established after the merger of the Albany, Bunbury and Esperance port authorities in 2014.