THE proposed Gorgon gas field development is being touted as a first test of a new project development approvals system for WA to be linked with a State sustainability strategy.
The Government is still considering the recommendations of the independent review committee report for a new project development approvals system – the Keating report, which was handed down three months ago.
And with the draft of the Government’s sustain-ability strategy not due for release until this month, there is no formal process for co-ordinated and integrated environmental, social and economic assessments of major development proposals.
However, with the assistance of Environmental Resources Management Australia, the WA Government has produced a set of guidelines for a strategic social, economic and environmental evaluation of the Gorgon project, and has embarked on a comprehensive look at ChevronTexaco’s development proposal for the Gorgon reserves.
This includes the possible reinjection of carbon dioxide into a deep reservoir below Barrow Island and production facilities on the island, which is a class A nature reserve, but has also been an operating oil field for 40 years.
Hence, the Government’s examination is more rigorous than that for other projects and is seen as an indication of where the approvals process is heading for sensitive projects.
At the request of the State Government, the Environmental Protection Authority is conducting a strategic environmental evaluation of the proposal, the Conservation Commission of WA is looking at the impact on the Barrow Island nature reserve, and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is determining social and economic issues.
As part of the review process, ChevronTexaco has also commissioned a strategic environmental, social and economic impact assessment, through private consultancies, which will consult with all stakeholders.
