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Project Detail

Project number OEPA:27
Project name

Wheatstone Development - Gas Processing, Export Facilities and Infrastructure
Project status Current
Proponent(s) Chevron Australia Pty Ltd
Project location

12 kilometres south of the town of Onslow

**NB Spatial data for this proposal is approximate.
Project bioregion(s) Pilbara
Assessment criteria Benthic Habitat, Flora and Vegetation, Marine Fauna and Flora
Residual impact

Following all mitigation efforts, the following significant residual impacts and risks remain:

Potential permanent loss of:
- 10 hectares of seagrass;
- 37 hectares of coral;
- 250 hectares of macroalgae; and
- 2272 hectares of filter feeders.
- 108 hectares of high tidal flats;
- 4 hectares of magroves/ Hooley Creek;
- 52 hectares of algal mats/Hooley Creek & Four Mile Creek system;
- 265 hectares of Cane River Conservation Park and proposed extensions

Offset conditions

22-1 Given the residual impacts and risks (permanent and temporary) of the Proposal to seagrass, coral, mangroves, marine and estuarine fauna, algal mats, vegetation, and conservation areas, the Proponent shall undertake the following residual impacts and risk management measures, consistent with financial, governance and accountability arrangements described in Schedule 3 (Proponent residual impacts and risk management measures – Wheatstone Proposal), unless otherwise agreed by the CEO.

22-2 The Proponent will contribute to a relevant scientific initiative, on the basis as described in Schedule 3 (Project A), which has the aim of adding to the understanding and management of the impacts of dredging on tropical marine communities in Western Australia. The Proponent will develop a process, approved by the CEO on advice from the DEC, to select and fund research project/s by 30 January 2012, unless otherwise agreed by the CEO.

22-3 The Proponent will contribute to a research program, on the basis as described in Schedule 3 (Project B), which has the aim of adding to the understanding of west Pilbara marine habitats (including coral and seagrass communities), their level of connectivity and recovery potential following natural and human induced disturbance. The Proponent will develop a process, approved by the CEO on advice from the DEC, to select and fund research project/s by 30 January 2012, unless otherwise agreed with the CEO.

22-4 The Proponent will contribute to a research program, on the basis described in Schedule 3 (Project C), which has the aim of adding to the understanding and
improved management of regionally critical habitat for humpback whales, dugongs and snubfin dolphins in Pilbara waters. The Proponent will develop a process, approved by the CEO, on advice from DEC, to select and fund research projects by 30 January 2012, unless otherwise agreed by the CEO.

22-5 Where practicable, the Proponent will take account of the findings of research Projects A, B and C in the management of the Proposal.

22-6 The Proponent will provide funding to DEC, on the basis as described in Schedule 3 (Project D). The aim of the funding will be to assist DEC in the management of potential impacts and risks associated with increased visitation to island nature reserves managed under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 within the vicinity of the Proposal.

22-7 The Proponent will fund the Department of Fisheries, on the basis described in Schedule 3 (Project E). The aim of the funding will be to assist the Department of Fisheries enforce compliance with bag limits and size limits in the coastal and estuarine environment within the vicinity of the Proposal.

22-8 The Proponent will fund DEC, on the basis described in Schedule 3 (Project F). The aim of the funding will be to assist DEC in the management of potential impacts and risks to the Cane River Conservation Park and proposed extensions associated with increased visitation from the Proposal.

22-9 The Proponent will maintain a contingency fund, on the basis described in Schedule 3 (Project G), for the purposes of remediating potential impacts to offshore islands and the Cane River Conservation Park and proposed extensions to be released on an as needs basis to DEC, where impacts can be reasonably attributed to the Proposal, as determined by the CEO, on advice from the DEC and the Proponent. The contingency
funding will continue to be available until one year after the date of first shipment of product from the LNG plant.

22-10 The real value of funding for Projects D, E and G will be maintained through indexation to the Perth consumer price index (CPI), with the first adjustment occurring on 30 January 2013.
Statutory process EP Act Environmental Impact Assessment (Part IV)
Approved project area (ha) 3300.0

Decision(s):

DECISION 1
Date: 2011-08-30 Ministerial statement: 873
OFFSET 1
Condition status: Complete
Type(s): Offset funds, Research
Rationale:

Project A - research to improve the understanding and management of the impacts of dredging on tropical marine communities.

The aim of the research project is to allow for better knowledge of the impacts of dredging operations so that future proposals in Western Australia can adopt these practices to minimise impacts on the benthic communities. All research will be publicly available and the proponent is expected to apply any of the findings learnt in its operations.
Security arrangements:

Research coordinated through Western Australian Marine Science Institute (WAMSI).
Governance arrangements:

Research coordinated through Western Australian Marine Science Institute (WAMSI).
Offset location:

N/A
Approved offset area (ha): None
Bioregion(s):
Delivery agent:

Western Australian Marine Science Institute (WAMSI)
Document attachments:
CONDITION MILESTONE 1
Milestone:

22-02 1st Contribution of $1.6m to WAMSI
Timeframe:

30 January 2012.

The CEO has approved an extension of this due date to 31 May 2012
Timeframe (date): 2012-05-31
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 2
Milestone:

22-02 2nd Contribution of $1.6m to WAMSI
Timeframe:

30 January 2013
Timeframe (date): 2013-01-30
Complete: Yes
  • No implementation milestones defined.
OFFSET 2
Condition status: Complete
Type(s): Offset funds, Research
Rationale:

Project B - Improving the understanding of west Pilbara marine habitats, connectivity and recovery potential following natural and human induced disturbance

The aim of the research is to add to the understanding of west Pilbara marine habitats (including coral and seagrass communities), their level of connectivity and recovery potential following natural and human induced disturbance. All research will be publicly available and the proponent is expected to apply any of the findings learnt in its operations.
Security arrangements:

Research coordinated through the Department of Parks and Wildlife
Governance arrangements:

Research coordinated through the Department of Parks and Wildlife

**See Offset 1 for MoU
Offset location:

Approved offset area (ha): None
Bioregion(s):
Delivery agent:

Department of Parks and Wildlife
Document attachments:
CONDITION MILESTONE 1
Milestone:

22-03 1st contribution of $300,000
Timeframe:

30 January 2012

The CEO has approved an extension of this due date to 31 May 2012
Timeframe (date): 2012-05-31
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 2
Milestone:

22-03 2nd contribution of $300,000
Timeframe:

30 January 2013
Timeframe (date): 2013-01-30
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 3
Milestone:

22-03 3rd contribution of $300,000
Timeframe:

30 January 2014
Timeframe (date): 2014-01-30
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 4
Milestone:

22-03 4th contribution of $300,000
Timeframe:

30 January 2015
Timeframe (date): 2015-01-30
Complete: Yes
  • No implementation milestones defined.
OFFSET 3
Condition status: Complete
Type(s): Offset funds, Research
Rationale:

Project C Identification and improved management of critical habitat for the following threatened marine species: 1) humpback whales; 2) dugongs; and 3) snubfin dolphins in Pilbara waters.

The aim of the research is to add to the understanding and improved management of regionally critical habitat for humpback whales, dugongs and snubfin dolphins in Pilbara waters. All research will be publicly available and the proponent is expected to apply any of the findings learnt in its operations.
Security arrangements:

Research coordinated through the Department of Parks and Wildlife
Governance arrangements:

Research coordinated through the Department of Parks and Wildlife

**See Offset 1 for MoU and Offset 2 for the annual reports
Offset location:

Approved offset area (ha): None
Bioregion(s):
Delivery agent:

Department of Parks and Wildlife
CONDITION MILESTONE 1
Milestone:

22-04 1st contribution of $875,000
Timeframe:

30 January 2012

The CEO has approved an extension of this due date to 31 May 2012
Timeframe (date): 2012-05-31
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 2
Milestone:

22-04 2nd contribution of $875,000
Timeframe:

30 January 2013
Timeframe (date): 2013-01-30
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 3
Milestone:

22-04 3rd contribution of $875,000
Timeframe:

30 January 2014
Timeframe (date): 2014-01-30
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 4
Milestone:

22-04 4th contribution of $875,000
Timeframe:

30 January 2015
Timeframe (date): 2015-01-30
Complete: Yes
  • No implementation milestones defined.
OFFSET 4
Condition status: Current
Type(s): Offset funds, Onground management
Rationale:

Project D Management of Nature Reserve

The aim of the funding will be to assist DEC in the management of potential impacts and risks associated with increased visitation to island nature reserves managed under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 within the vicinity of the Proposal.

Security arrangements:

Project undertaken by the Department of Parks and Wildlife
Governance arrangements:

Undertaken by the Department of Parks and Wildlife

** See Offset 2 for annual reports
Offset location:

Approved offset area (ha): None
Bioregion(s):
Delivery agent:

Department of Parks and Wildlife
Document attachments:
CONDITION MILESTONE 1
Milestone:

22-06 1st payment of $770,000
Timeframe:

30 January 2012

The CEO has approved an extension of this due date to 31 May 2012
Timeframe (date): 2012-05-31
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 2
Milestone:

22-06 2nd payment of $770,000 (indexed to CPI)
Timeframe:

30 January 2013
Timeframe (date): 2013-01-30
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 3
Milestone:

22-06 3rd payment of $770,000 (indexed to CPI)
Timeframe:

30 January 2014
Timeframe (date): 2014-01-30
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 4
Milestone:

22-06 4th payment of $770,000 (indexed to CPI)
Timeframe:

30 January 2015
Timeframe (date): 2015-01-30
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 5
Milestone:

22-06 5th payment of $770,000 (indexed to CPI)
Timeframe:

30 January 2016
Timeframe (date): 2016-01-25
Complete: Yes
  • No implementation milestones defined.
OFFSET 5
Condition status: Current
Type(s): Offset funds, Onground management
Rationale:

Project E - Management of potential additional recreational fishing pressure within vicinity of the Proposal

The aim of the funding will be to assist the Department of Fisheries enforce compliance with bag limits and size limits in the coastal and estuarine environment within the vicinity of the Proposal.
Security arrangements:

The project will be undertaken by the Department of Fisheries
Governance arrangements:

Offset location:

In the vicinity of the proposal
Approved offset area (ha): None
Bioregion(s):
Delivery agent:

Department of Fisheries
Document attachments:
CONDITION MILESTONE 1
Milestone:

22-07 1st contribution of $220,000
Timeframe:

30 January 2012

The CEO has approved an extension of this due date to 31 May 2012
Timeframe (date): 2012-05-31
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 2
Milestone:

22-07 2nd contribution of $220,000 (indexed to CPI)
Timeframe:

30 January 2013
Timeframe (date): 2013-01-30
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 3
Milestone:

22-07 3rd contribution of $220,000 (indexed to CPI)
Timeframe:

30 January 2014
Timeframe (date): 2014-01-30
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 4
Milestone:

22-07 4th contribution of $220,000 (indexed to CPI)
Timeframe:

30 January 2015
Timeframe (date): 2015-01-30
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 5
Milestone:

22-07 5th contribution of $220,000 (indexed to CPI)
Timeframe:

30 January 2016
Timeframe (date): 2016-01-25
Complete: Yes
  • No implementation milestones defined.
OFFSET 6
Condition status: Complete
Type(s): Offset funds, Onground management
Rationale:

Project F - Management of Conservation Park

The aim of the funding will be to assist DEC in the management of potential impacts and risks to the Cane River Conservation Park and proposed extensions associated with increased visitation from the Proposal.
Security arrangements:

This project will be undertaken by the Department of Parks and Wildlife
Governance arrangements:

Undertaken by the Department of Parks and Wildlife

** See Offset 2 for annual reports
Offset location:

Cane River Conservation Park and proposed extensions
Approved offset area (ha): None
Bioregion(s):
Delivery agent:

Department of Parks and Wildlife
CONDITION MILESTONE 1
Milestone:

22-08 Contribution of $300,000
Timeframe:

30 January 2012
Timeframe (date): 2012-01-30
Complete: Yes
  • No implementation milestones defined.
OFFSET 7
Condition status: Current
Type(s): Other
Rationale:

Project G - Contingency Fund

Contingency fund for the purposes of remediating potential impacts to offshore islands and the Cane River Conservation
Park and proposed extensions where impacts can be reasonably attributed to the Proposal.
Security arrangements:

Governance arrangements:

Offset location:

Approved offset area (ha): None
Bioregion(s):
Delivery agent:

Document attachments:
CONDITION MILESTONE 1
Milestone:

22-09 Provision of $250,000 contingency fund
Timeframe:

Maintained by the Proponent until one year after the date of first shipment of product from the LNG plant.
Complete: Yes
  • No implementation milestones defined.

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