State Development Minister Eric Ripper has released the terms of reference for the Northern Development Taskforce, aiming to identify any future gas development hubs in the Kimberley, ahead of the first stakeholders' workshop to be held this week.
The full text of a Ministerial announcement is pasted below
State Development Minister Eric Ripper today released the terms of reference for the taskforce assigned to identify any future gas development hubs in the Kimberley.
The Northern Development Taskforce, announced by the Minister in July, was established to ensure the unique environmental, cultural and heritage values of the region were protected alongside any development of gas resources.
Mr Ripper said there were tremendous commercial opportunities in the Kimberley but development needed to be sensitive and responsible.
"Western Australia is experiencing an extraordinary period of growth, and the gas resources of the Kimberley are an important part of this new phase in the State's development," he said.
"The Government's aim is to work with gas processing companies to ensure development is balanced against the exceptional environmental, cultural, tourism and heritage values."
Mr Ripper said the taskforce, which incorporated the previously announced Burrup Taskforce, would use the framework to ensure the rights of traditional owners were fully respected.
The taskforce would make use of an extensive community and industry consultation program to identify the best location for one or more Browse Basin gas processing hubs and would also manage the cross-government planning processes involved in any site selection.
The Terms of Reference have been released to coincide with the first workshop of stakeholders being held in Broome this week.
Mr Ripper said the taskforce represented the Government's commitment towards ensuring the best possible outcomes for everyone affected by development in the Kimberley.
"I am confident the Terms of Reference provide a new model for sustainable development and constructive outcomes for the community, the environment, and the country as a whole," Mr Ripper said.
