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Section 1 Introduction

1. Introduction

Section 1 | Introduction

1-1 Public Environmental Review/Draft Environmental Impact Statement

1 Introduction

1.1 Overview of documentThis Public Environmental Review/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (PER/Draft EIS) assesses the environmental impacts associated with BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s proposed Outer Harbour Development Port Hedland. The proposed project will be located adjacent to BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s current operations (Figure 1.1) at Port Hedland and includes the construction of stockyards within the vicinity of the decommissioned Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) Plant at Boodarie and a jetty/wharf structure offshore from Finucane Island (Figure 1.2).

1.1.1 Proposal Title The proposed Outer Harbour Development Port Hedland will be referred to in this document as either the “Outer Harbour Development” or “the project”.

1.1.2 Proponent The proponent for the Outer Harbour Development is BHP Billiton Iron Ore, located at:

BHP Billiton Iron Ore 225 St Georges Terrace PERTH WA 6000

The key contact for the environmental approvals component is:

Mr Gavin Price Head of Environment BHP Billiton Iron Ore

Ph: (08) 6224 4024 Email: [email protected]

Further information on the proponent can be sourced from the Company’s website (www.bhpbilliton.com).

1.1.3 Project ObjectivesThe primary objective of the Outer Harbour Development is to expand the export capacity of BHP Billiton Port Hedland iron ore port operations to support current and future operational and capacity requirements and meet expected increase in global demand.

Increasing BHP Billiton’s export capacity at the Port will:maximise the efficiency of existing export ▸operations;enhance health, safety and amenity ▸associated with existing operations; andpromote sustainability of the region as an ▸export hub.

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Final design drawing files will be forwarded to the relevantGovernment authorities on finalisation and completion.

This figure is an indicative representation of the current design ofthe Outer Harbour Development.Changes may be necessary as the engineering designprogresses to ensure it is efficient, practical and within landdisturbance requirements at the time of construction.


1-4Public Environmental Review/Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The objectives will be achieved whilst:protecting the conservation, amenity and ▸social values of the Port Hedland area; responsibly managing environmental, health ▸and safety requirements; and implementing sound environmental management ▸throughout all phases of the development.

1.1.4 Background to the ProjectBHP Billiton Iron Ore is in a period of significant growth and has focused on growing the business via a phased approach to meet market demand.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore plans to continue to grow capacity in line with market demand for iron ore. China and other emerging economies are expected to continue to drive global demand for steel, and hence long term demand for iron ore, as steel remains a critical building block for modernisation.

To meet this expected continuation in demand. BHP Billiton Iron Ore is seeking to further expand export capacity through the development of new port facilities and supporting infrastructure as part of the proposed Outer Harbour Development at Port Hedland. The timing and the composition of the stages will ultimately be dependant on the market demand for iron ore, internal and external approvals and construction methodology.

1.1.5 Scope of Public Environmental Review/Environmental Impact Statement

This document describes and assesses the significance of the environmental impacts associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the Outer Harbour Development and how these impacts will be avoided, minimised and managed should the project proceed. The scope of the Outer Harbour Development project assessed in this PER/Draft EIS includes:

rail spur and loops from the existing BHP ▸Billiton Iron Ore Newman and Goldsworthy mainline rail infrastructure to proposed stockyards at Boodarie;rail loops and stockyards at Boodarie; ▸infrastructure corridor (including conveyors, ▸access roadway and utilities) from the stockyards to the proposed jetty;

jetty, wharf, dredged channel, basins and ▸berthing pockets offshore from Finucane Island to accommodate bulk carriers; andsupporting infrastructure including access ▸roads, upgrades to existing roads and utilities, buildings, temporary construction facilities and communication systems.

1.2 Environmental Management Framework1.2.1 Approval ProcessThis PER/Draft EIS has been prepared to satisfy both Western Australian and Commonwealth environmental legislation.

The Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) is the principal statute relevant to environmental protection in Western Australia. The Outer Harbour Development was referred to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in accordance with Section 38 of the EP Act. Subsequently on 30 April 2008 the level of assessment for the proposed Outer Harbour Development was set at a Public Environmental Review (PER).

An Environmental Scoping Document (ESD) (BHP Billiton Iron Ore 2008a), describing the potential key environmental factors raised by the proposed Outer Harbour Development and the intended environmental studies to be completed as part of the assessment, was approved by the EPA on 4 November 2008. This PER/Draft EIS has been prepared in accordance with the final approved ESD.

The project description (including dredging volumes) provided in the ESD (BHP Billiton Iron Ore 2008a) has been revised based on advancements in the engineering design, oceanographic data, modelling and detailed bathymetry surveys. The current project description is provided in Section 2. Studies and/or technical appendices to the PER/Draft EIS have not been updated to incorporate minor changes in project description if these changes do not alter the significance of the studies’ outcomes.

In addition to the assessment by the EPA, the project was referred to the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) under the provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) on 4 April 2008.



The Commonwealth regulatory authority previously known as DEWHA has recently changed name and is now known as the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC). The department is referred to as DSEWPaC throughout this document.

DSEWPaC determined that the proposed activity was a ‘controlled action’ under the EPBC Act due to the potential significant impacts on the following Matters of National Environmental Significance:

listed threatened species or communities ▸(Section 18 and 18A);listed migratory species (Section 20 and 20A); ▸andCommonwealth marine areas (Section 23 ▸and 24A).

DSEWPaC set the level of assessment at an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on 16 May 2008 and the EIS guidelines were issued on 24 December 2008.

The Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 (Sea Dumping Act), regulates the loading and dumping of waste at sea. This Act also fulfils Australia’s international obligations under the London Protocol to prevent marine pollution by controlling dumping of wastes and other matter.

Under the Sea Dumping Act, the Commonwealth aims to minimise the threat of pollution by:

prohibiting ocean disposal of waste ▸considered too harmful to be released in the marine environment; andregulating permitted waste disposal to ensure ▸environmental impacts are minimised.

An application to dispose of dredged material at sea was also submitted to the Federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage under the Sea Dumping Act on 4 April 2008. The Minister’s delegate determined that the proposed disposal is likely to

have a significant impact on the environment and sought advice in accordance with Section 160 of the EPBC Act. This requires assessment of the project in accordance with Part 8 of the EPBC Act. The PER/Draft EIS also provides the information required for the DSEWPaC to assess the project for granting of the Sea Dumping Permit. As the project is to be assessed by the Western Australian Government at the PER level of assessment, and the Commonwealth Government at the EIS level of assessment, the EPA and DSEWPaC determined that BHP Billiton Iron Ore should undertake a coordinated assessment (as shown in Figure 1.3). The submission of this joint PER/Draft EIS document is intended to satisfy the requirements of both jurisdictions.

Prior to the construction and operation of these facilities, a works approval and licence amendment will be required under Part V of the EP Act.

1.2.2 Terms of ReferenceThe terms of reference (Table 1.1) outlines the requirements that should be considered in preparing the PER/Draft EIS. Furthermore, the terms of reference provides the framework for the PER/Draft EIS, including information on the purpose and role of the PER/Draft EIS, and the factors considered to be most significant for the project based on the initial risk assessment undertaken at the Scoping Phase. The Scoping Phase determined the studies necessary and the data required to undertake the impact assessment as described in the ESD (Appendix B1). All potentially significant impacts on the environment were to be investigated for the Outer Harbour Development, and requirements for the mitigation of any adverse impacts are detailed in this PER/Draft EIS. The guidelines should, however, not be interpreted as excluding from consideration any matters which were not foreseen or which may arise during ongoing scientific studies or from any changes to the proposal.



Figure 1.3 – Coordinated Environmental Assessment Process and Indicative Timeframes

1-7Pu

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– Te

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f Ref

1-9

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Tabl

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d so

urce

s and

oth

er P

ort

▸He

dlan

d so

urce

s inc

ludi

ng e

xist

ing

BHP

Billi

ton

Iron

Ore

oper

atio

ns, p

ropo

sed

BHP

Billi

ton

Iron

Ore

oper

atio

ns, P

HPA

oper

atio

ns in

clusiv

e of

Uta

h Po

int a

nd F

MG

oper

atio

ns;

eval

uate

cum

ulat

ive im

pact

s as a

resu

lt of

the

proj

ect;

and

▸de

term

ine

pote

ntia

l im

pact

s and

eva

luat

e th

e re

sults

aga

inst

acc

epte

d gu

idel

ines

, ▸Se

ctio

n 46

targ

ets a

nd st

atut

ory r

equi

rem

ents

. De

posit

iona

l mod

ellin

g to

det

erm

ine

any p

oten

tial i

mpa

cts t

o ar

eas o

f her

itage

▸sig

nific

ance

.Un

derta

ke co

mm

unity

cons

ulta

tion

and

enga

gem

ent.

▸

Sect

ion

11

14Ai

r – G

reen

hous

e Ga

ses

Cond

uct a

gre

enho

use

gas a

sses

smen

t.Gr

eenh

ouse

Gas

As

sess

men

t (SK

M 2

009o

)

15Gr

ound

wate

r and

Sur

face

Wat

er Q

ualit

yId

entif

y pot

entia

l con

tam

inat

ion

sour

ces,

path

ways

and

det

erm

ine

man

agem

ent c

ontro

ls re

quire

d to

pre

vent

cont

amin

atio

n an

d m

anag

e st

orm

wate

r.Se

ctio

n 8

16M

arin

e W

ater

and

Sed

imen

t Qua

lity

Unde

rtake

sam

plin

g an

d an

alys

is of

mar

ine

sedi

men

ts to

iden

tify p

rese

nce

of p

oten

tial

▸co

ntam

inan

ts a

nd d

eter

min

e se

dim

ent p

artic

le si

ze.

Unde

rtake

sedi

men

t plu

me

mod

ellin

g to

det

erm

ine

the

geog

raph

ic ex

tent

of t

he

▸pr

opos

ed p

lum

e.Ch

arac

teris

e ba

selin

e wa

ter q

ualit

y par

amet

ers f

or a

min

imum

of 1

2 m

onth

s, at

▸re

pres

enta

tive

impa

ct a

nd re

fere

nce

sites

in S

tate

and

Com

mon

wea

lth w

ater

s.Un

derta

ke co

ntam

inat

ion

and

acid

sulp

hate

soils

test

ing

of sp

oil m

ater

ial i

dent

ified

▸fo

r disp

osal

to la

nd.

Sect

ion

10Ap

pend

ices

B4,

B6

and

B19

Wat

er Q

ualit

y Mon

itorin

g Re

port

(SKM

200

9f)

17Hy

droc

arbo

ns a

nd H

azar

dous

Mat

eria

lsId

entif

y pot

entia

l con

tam

inat

ion

sour

ces a

nd p

athw

ays.

Sect

ions

9, 1

0 an

d 11

18So

lid a

nd Li

quid

Was

te D

ispos

alCo

nduc

t a w

aste

stud

y to

iden

tify s

ourc

es, q

uant

ities

and

disp

osal

opt

ions

.W

aste

Man

agem

ent S

tudy

(S

KM 2

009s

) Se

ctio

n 8

1-10

Publ

ic En

viro

nmen

tal R

evie

w/D

raft

Envi

ronm

enta

l Im

pact

Sta

tem

ent

Item

Num

ber

Cons

ider

atio

nRe

quire

men

t Re

leva

nt S

ectio

n of

PE

R/Dr

aft E

IS

Rele

vant

Gu

idel

ines

/ Re

fere

nce

19Te

rrest

rial N

oise

and

Vib

ratio

nCo

nduc

t a n

oise

ass

essm

ent t

o:id

entif

y noi

se so

urce

s (in

cludi

ng co

nvey

or d

rives

, tra

ffic,

rail,

pili

ng, e

tc);

▸pr

edict

like

ly no

ise e

miss

ions

; ▸id

entif

y opp

ortu

nitie

s to

min

imise

noi

se e

miss

ions

; ▸ev

alua

te n

oise

em

issio

ns re

sulti

ng fr

om th

e pr

ojec

t in

isola

tion;

and

▸m

odel

noi

se im

pact

s on

sens

itive

rece

ptor

s fro

m th

e pr

opos

al in

isol

atio

n an

d ▸cu

mul

ative

ly w

ith o

ther

sour

ces i

nclu

ding

impa

cts f

rom

ass

ocia

ted

incr

ease

in ra

il an

d tra

ffic n

oise

.

Sect

ion

11

20M

arin

e No

ise, B

last

ing

and

Vibr

atio

nCo

nduc

t noi

se e

miss

ion

mod

ellin

g an

d es

tabl

ish b

asel

ine

noise

dat

a fo

r mar

ine

▸en

viro

nmen

t;Co

nduc

t a m

arin

e no

ise a

nd v

ibra

tion

asse

ssm

ent t

o: ▸

iden

tify m

arin

e fa

una

at ri

sk a

nd e

xten

t of i

mpa

cts;

▸de

term

ine

pote

ntia

l noi

se a

nd v

ibra

tion

impa

cts f

rom

dre

dgin

g, b

last

ing,

pili

ng a

nd

▸sh

ippi

ng; a

ndes

tabl

ish m

anag

emen

t stra

tegi

es to

min

imise

any

sign

ifica

nt im

pact

s. ▸ Esta

blish

tole

ranc

e lim

its o

f sen

sitive

mar

ine

faun

a. ▸

Sect

ion

10

21Lig

htCo

nduc

t a li

ght i

mpa

ct a

sses

smen

t.Ap

pend

ix B

5Se

ctio

ns 9

, 10

and

1122

Fishe

ries

Liaise

with

rele

vant

fish

ing

grou

ps a

nd re

leva

nt st

akeh

olde

rs.

▸Co

nduc

t a fi

sher

ies s

tudy

to in

clude

: ▸

iden

tifica

tion

of re

crea

tiona

l, co

mm

ercia

l fish

erie

s; ▸as

sess

men

t of a

quac

ultu

re o

pera

tions

with

in th

e vi

cinity

of t

he d

evel

opm

ent a

rea;

▸an

did

entifi

catio

n of

key

com

mer

cial s

pecie

s. ▸ Unde

rtake

seas

onal

char

acte

ristic

s and

iden

tifica

tion

of a

ny si

gnifi

cant

issu

es fo

r ▸co

nsid

erat

ion

in p

roje

ct d

esig

n.

Desk

top

Fishe

ries

Stud

y (SK

M 2

009n

)

23In

dige

nous

Her

itage

Cond

uct a

rcha

eolo

gica

l and

eth

nogr

aphi

c sur

veys

ove

r the

stud

y are

a.

▸Re

leva

nt lo

cal A

borig

inal

gro

ups a

nd re

pres

enta

tives

will

be

cons

ulte

d. ▸

Sect

ion

7

Tabl

e 1.1

– Te

rms o

f Ref

1-11

Publ

ic En

viro

nmen

tal R

evie

w/D

raft

Envi

ronm

enta

l Im

pact

Sta

tem

ent

Item

Num

ber

Cons

ider

atio

nRe

quire

men

t Re

leva

nt S

ectio

n of

PE

R/Dr

aft E

IS

Rele

vant

Gu

idel

ines

/ Re

fere

nce

24Eu

rope

an H

erita

geCo

mpl

ete

a de

skto

p re

view

of n

on-in

dige

nous

her

itage

surv

eys i

nclu

ding

mar

itim

e ▸he

ritag

e sit

es.

Iden

tify a

ny h

erita

ge si

tes l

isted

on

the

Regi

ster

of N

atio

nal E

stat

e, th

e St

ate

Herit

age

▸Co

uncil

’s Re

gist

er o

f Site

s and

the

loca

l Mun

icipa

l Inv

ento

ry.Fi

nalis

e an

d im

plem

ent a

Com

mun

ity E

ngag

emen

t and

Con

sulta

tion

Plan

. ▸

Sect

ion

7

25So

cial I

mpa

cts

Cond

uct a

socia

l im

pact

ass

essm

ent o

f the

ove

rall

grow

th st

rate

gy o

f the

pro

ject

.Se

ctio

ns 7

and

11

26Vi

sual

Am

enity

Cond

uct a

visu

al a

men

ity a

sses

smen

t to

dete

rmin

e th

e vis

ual i

mpa

cts o

f the

pro

ject

dur

ing

day a

nd n

ight

tim

e op

erat

ions

.Se

ctio

ns 7

and

11

27Re

crea

tion

Cond

uct a

socia

l im

pact

ass

essm

ent t

o:id

entif

y the

recr

eatio

nal a

reas

with

in th

e pr

oxim

ity to

the

stud

y are

a; a

nd ▸de

term

ine

the

pote

ntia

l im

pact

s. ▸

Sect

ions

4, 7

and

11

28De

com

miss

ioni

ngEs

tabl

ish a

pre

limin

ary C

losu

re a

nd D

ecom

miss

ioni

ng S

trate

gy th

at o

utlin

es th

e ap

proa

ch

of th

e clo

sure

pla

nnin

g pr

oces

s in

acco

rdan

ce w

ith cl

osur

e st

anda

rds

Sect

ion

12

29M

anag

emen

t Pla

ns to

be

inclu

ded

in th

e PE

RAc

id S

ulph

ate

Soils

Man

agem

ent P

lan

▸Ap

pend

ix A

7Ta

ble

9.1,

Envir

onm

enta

l Sc

opin

g Do

cum

ent

(App

endi

x B1

)

Dust

Man

agem

ent P

lan

▸Re

fer t

o Po

rt He

dlan

d Du

st M

anag

emen

t Pr

ogra

m

Noise

Red

uctio

n M

anag

emen

t Pla

n ▸

Refe

r to

Port

Hedl

and

Noise

Red

uctio

n M

anag

emen

t Pro

gram

Mar

ine

Turtl

e M

anag

emen

t Pla

n ▸M

arin

e M

amm

al M

anag

emen

t Pla

n ▸

Turtl

es –

Appe

ndix

A1

Mar

ine

Mam

mal

s –

Appe

ndix

A4

Dred

ging

and

Spo

il Di

spos

al M

anag

emen

t Pla

n ▸

Appe

ndix

A3

Non-

Ende

mic

Mar

ine

Spec

ies M

anag

emen

t Pla

n ▸

Inva

sive

Mar

ine

Spec

ies –

Ap

pend

ix A

5

30Ge

nera

l Inf

orm

atio

nPr

ovid

e ba

ckgr

ound

and

cont

ext.

Sect

ion

1Se

ctio

n 1

EIS

Guid

elin

es

Tabl

e 1.1

– Te

rms o

f Ref

1-12

Publ

ic En

viro

nmen

tal R

evie

w/D

raft

Envi

ronm

enta

l Im

pact

Sta

tem

ent

Item

Num

ber

Cons

ider

atio

nRe

quire

men

t Re

leva

nt S

ectio

n of

PE

R/Dr

aft E

IS

Rele

vant

Gu

idel

ines

/ Re

fere

nce

31De

scrip

tion

of th

e Ac

tion/

Pro

posa

lIn

clude

s des

crip

tion

of:

key c

ompo

nent

s and

cons

truct

ion

in d

etai

l; ▸ho

w th

e w

orks

are

to b

e un

derta

ken;

▸de

sign

para

met

ers r

elat

ed to

rele

vant

impa

cts;

▸pr

ovid

e a

com

preh

ensiv

e de

scrip

tion

of th

e pr

opos

al;

▸pr

ovid

e pl

ans o

f the

pro

posa

l whi

ch a

re si

gnifi

cant

from

an

envi

ronm

enta

l pro

tect

ion

▸pe

rspe

ctive

;de

scrib

e tim

ing

and

stag

ing

of p

roje

ct; a

nd ▸de

tail

owne

rshi

p an

d lia

bilit

y for

oth

er a

spec

ts re

late

d to

the

prop

osal

. ▸

Sect

ion

2Se

ctio

n 2

EIS

Guid

elin

esSe

ctio

n 4.1

PER

Gu

idel

ines

32Fe

asib

le A

ltern

ative

sDi

scus

s fea

sible

alte

rnat

ives t

o th

e ac

tion.

Sect

ion

3Se

ctio

n 3

EIS

Guid

elin

es

33De

scrip

tion

of th

e En

viron

men

tDe

scrib

e en

viro

nmen

t of t

he p

ropo

sal s

ite a

nd su

rroun

ding

are

as th

at m

ay b

e af

fect

ed

▸by

the

actio

n.Se

ctio

ns 5

, 6 a

nd 7

Sect

ion

4 EI

S Gu

idel

ines

Deve

lop

and

unde

rtake

Sam

plin

g &

Anal

ysis

Plan

(SAP

). ▸

Appe

ndix

B6

Deve

lop

and

unde

rtake

add

ition

al o

ffsho

re d

ispos

al si

te se

lect

ions

for d

redg

ed

▸m

ater

ial.

Sect

ion

3 an

d Sp

oil

Grou

nd S

elec

tion

Stud

y (S

KM 2

009h

)

Desc

ribe

Com

mon

wea

lth m

arin

e en

viro

nmen

t with

resp

ect t

o sig

nific

ant r

egio

nal

▸ha

bita

t for

list

ed th

reat

ened

and

mig

rato

ry m

arin

e sp

ecie

s.Se

ctio

ns 6

and

10

Desc

ribe

exist

ing

envir

onm

ent i

n a

loca

l and

regi

onal

cont

ext,

inclu

ding

:ke

y eco

syst

em p

roce

sses

; ▸bi

odive

rsity

; ▸ex

istin

g sit

e co

nditi

on; a

nd ▸en

viro

nmen

tal i

ssue

s tha

t may

be

cons

train

ts o

r fat

al fl

aws t

o th

e pr

opos

al ▸

Sect

ion

4.2

PER

Guid

elin

es

Tabl

e 1.1

– Te

rms o

f Ref

1-13

Publ

ic En

viro

nmen

tal R

evie

w/D

raft

Envi

ronm

enta

l Im

pact

Sta

tem

ent

Item

Num

ber

Cons

ider

atio

nRe

quire

men

t Re

leva

nt S

ectio

n of

PE

R/Dr

aft E

IS

Rele

vant

Gu

idel

ines

/ Re

fere

nce

34Re

leva

nt Im

pact

sDe

scrib

e po

tent

ial r

elev

ant i

mpa

cts o

n th

e ec

olog

y, hy

drol

ogy a

nd g

eom

orph

olog

y rel

ated

to

the

Mat

ters

of N

atio

nal E

nviro

nmen

tal S

igni

fican

ce (N

ES),

inclu

ding

:as

sess

ing

the

natu

re a

nd e

xten

t of l

ikely

shor

t-ter

m, l

ong-

term

and

cons

eque

ntia

l ▸re

leva

nt im

pact

s;po

tent

ial d

irect

, ind

irect

and

cons

eque

ntia

l im

pact

s on

regi

onal

and

Com

mon

wea

lth

▸m

arin

e en

viro

nmen

t;im

pact

s on

othe

r use

rs;

▸po

tent

ial i

mpa

cts o

n im

porta

nt a

men

ities

, nav

igat

ion,

cultu

rally

and

hist

orica

lly

▸sig

nific

ant s

ites,

thre

aten

ed o

r mig

rato

ry sp

ecie

s or s

ensit

ive h

abita

ts;

pote

ntia

l im

pact

on

liste

d m

arin

e sp

ecie

s; ▸po

tent

ial r

isk o

f pes

t spe

cies b

ecom

ing

esta

blish

ed in

Com

mon

wea

lth m

arin

e ar

ea;

▸an

dch

ange

s in

air a

nd w

ater

qua

lity.

▸Fo

cus o

n th

e ke

y or m

ore

signi

fican

t env

ironm

enta

l iss

ues a

nd th

e as

socia

ted

fact

ors.

▸Di

scus

s the

ext

ent t

o w

hich

bes

t pra

ctice

will

be

appl

ied

to th

e pr

opos

al.

▸Pr

ovid

e su

mm

ary t

able

for a

ll en

viro

nmen

tal f

acto

rs.

▸

Sect

ions

9, 1

0 an

d 11

Sect

ion

5 EI

S Gu

idel

ines

Sect

ions

9, 1

0 an

d 11

Sect

ion

12Ex

ecut

ive

Sum

mar

y

Sect

ion

4.3

PER

Guid

elin

es

35Pr

opos

ed S

afeg

uard

s and

Miti

gatio

n M

easu

res

Desc

ribe

prop

osed

safe

guar

ds a

nd m

itiga

tion

mea

sure

s. ▸As

sess

exp

ecte

d or

pre

dict

ed e

ffect

ivene

ss o

f miti

gatio

n m

easu

res.

▸Pr

ovid

e co

sts o

f the

miti

gatio

n m

easu

res.

▸Pr

ovid

e Fr

amew

ork

Envi

ronm

enta

l Man

agem

ent P

lan.

▸Na

me

agen

cy/ie

s res

pons

ible

for e

ndor

sing

or a

ppro

ving

eac

h m

itiga

tion

mea

sure

or

▸m

onito

ring

prog

ram

.

Sect

ions

9, 1

0 ,11

an

d 12

and

rele

vant

M

anag

emen

t Pla

ns

Sect

ion

6 EI

S Gu

idel

ines

36Ot

her A

ppro

vals

and

Cond

ition

sDe

tail

any o

ther

requ

irem

ents

for a

ppro

val o

r con

ditio

ns th

at a

pply.

Sect

ion

1Se

ctio

n 7

EIS

Guid

elin

es

37Co

nsul

tatio

nDe

scrib

e pu

blic

parti

cipat

ion

and

cons

ulta

tion

activ

ities

und

erta

ken.

Sect

ion

4Se

ctio

n 8

EIS

Guid

elin

esSe

ctio

n 5

PER

Guid

elin

es

38In

form

atio

n So

urce

sDe

tails

of s

ourc

e, a

ge a

nd re

liabi

lity o

f inf

orm

atio

n re

fere

nced

in th

e EI

S.Se

ctio

n 13

Sect

ion

9 EI

S Gu

idel

ines

Tabl

e 1.1

– Te

rms o

f Ref

1-14

Publ

ic En

viro

nmen

tal R

evie

w/D

raft

Envi

ronm

enta

l Im

pact

Sta

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1.2.3 Key Legislation and PoliciesState and Commonwealth Legislation and Policies

The Outer Harbour Development is required to comply with relevant Western Australian and Commonwealth legislation. Current key legislation applicable to this project includes but is not limited to that outlined in Table 1.2.

Table 1.2 – Key Western Australian and Commonwealth Legislation

Western Australian Legislation

Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 Explosives and Dangerous Goods Act 1961

Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 1974 Fish Resources Management Act 1994

Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 Health Act 1911

Agricultural and Related Resources (Declared Plants and Restricted Animals) Regulations 1982

Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990

Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 Iron Ore (Mount Goldsworthy) Agreement Act 1964

Bush Fires Act 1954 Jetties Act 1926

Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 Land Administration Act 1997

Conservation and Land Management Regulations 2002 Litter Act 1979

Contaminated Sites Act 2003 Local Government Act 1995

Contaminated Sites Regulations 2002 Main Roads Act 1930

Country Areas Water Supply Act 2003 Marine and Harbours Act 1981

Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 Mining Act 1978

Dangerous Goods (Transport) Act 1998 Native Title (State Provisions) Act 1999

Dangerous Goods Safety (Storage and Handling of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007

Occupational Health and Safety Act 1984

Dangerous Goods Safety (Goods in Ports) Regulations 2007 Planning and Development Act 2005

Electricity Act 1945 Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987

Environmental Protection Act 1986 Port Authorities Act 1999

Environmental Protection Regulations 1987 Rail Safety Act 2010

Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004 Rights in Water Irrigation Act 1914

Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2004 Shipping and Pilotage Act 1987

Environmental Protection (NEPM-NPI) Regulations1998 Soil and Land Conservation Act 1945

Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 Soil and Land Conservation Regulations 1992

Environmental Protection (Unauthorised Discharges) Regulations 2004 Wildlife Conservation Act 1950

Commonwealth Legislation

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Regulations 1983

Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements & Australian Quarantine Regulations 2001

National Environmental Protection Council Act 1994

Australian Heritage Council Act 2003 Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976

Australian Maritime Safety Authority Act 1990 Native Title Act 1993

Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act 2006 Navigation Act 1912

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983

Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981



International Conventions

In addition to State and Commonwealth legislation, there are a number of international conventions and bilateral agreements for the protection of fauna and flora. In undertaking the PER/Draft EIS, the agreements and conventions included in Table 1.3 have been considered and applied where appropriate.

Table 1.3 – Bilateral Agreements and International Conventions

Bilateral Agreements

China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA)

Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA)

Republic of Korea-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA)

International Conventions

The Convention on Biological Diversity 1993 (CBD)

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 1979 (CMS or Bonn Convention)

The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 1973 (CITES)

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance 1971 (Ramsar Convention)

The London Convention 1972 (replaced by the 1996 Protocol)

1.2.4 BHP Billiton Sustainable Development FrameworkThe growth opportunity presented by the expansion of the market for iron ore represents a significant challenge to BHP Billiton Iron Ore to capture this growth in partnership with the communities in which it operates, while realising the social benefits and protecting the environment.

The Outer Harbour Development represents the largest engineering project yet undertaken at Port Hedland, and will present BHP Billiton Iron Ore with many opportunities to incorporate sustainability principles into its development approach.

BHP Billiton’s commitment to sustainable development has evolved over a long history of operational experience. The Company recognises the benefits of successful management of environmental and social performance while delivering economic benefits.

As the world’s largest diversified resource company, BHP Billiton’s decisions have the potential to impact the environment and society, both now and into the future. The continuing success and sustainability of the Company is heavily dependent upon securing and maintaining a licence to operate and grow. This requires BHP Billiton to demonstrate on an ongoing basis that the Company can and will protect the value of environmental and social resources in the communities in which it operates, and that the host communities will continue to share in the business success.

The BHP Billiton Group operates under a series of corporate requirements, including a Charter, Sustainable Development Policy, health safety

environment and community standards and a Code of Business Conduct. These corporate requirements promote a mutually beneficial relationship between the Company, the environment and the communities in which it operates, including Indigenous communities. The main principles of the Health and Safety Environment and Community Management Standards are:

an overriding commitment to health, safety, ▸environmental responsibility and sustainable development;the development, implementation and ▸maintenance of management systems that drive sustainable development and continual improvement;consideration of the entire asset’s lifecycle, ▸from planning to design, construction, operation and closure; anda requirement that all employees are ▸accountable for behaving in accordance with the corporate policies and standards.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore develops and assesses each of its development projects against an internal project evaluation process. The process requires identification of economic, environmental and social aspects arising from a project at each stage of development, and requires each aspect to be addressed satisfactorily before the project is permitted to proceed through the ‘tollgate’ to the next stage of development (Figure 1.4). The BHP Billiton Group is continually looking to optimise the performance of its operations.



The BHP Billiton Group has developed a proprietary risk management standard which provides a consistent platform across the Company’s operations by which risks are rated and ranked. The phased project development process is integrated with this risk assessment process to ensure that risks associated with proposed projects are identified and that the outcomes of the risk assessment process are considered and addressed in each successive project review. BHP Billiton Iron Ore used the risk standard to assess the risks of the project:

against safety, health, environmental, ▸community and economic performance, including the implications for Matters of National Environmental Significance (NES) protected under Part 3 of the EPBC Act; andto conform with the BHP Billiton Group and ▸BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s policies and standards.

1.2.5 Applicable Guidelines and StandardsIn undertaking the PER/Draft EIS, the guidelines and statements included in Table 1.4 have been considered and applied where appropriate.

1.2.6 Principles of Environmental ProtectionIn 2003, the EP Act was amended to include the following principles of environmental protection (EPA 2004a):

the precautionary principle; ▸the principle of intergenerational equity; ▸the principle of the conservation of biological ▸diversity and ecological integrity;principles relating to improved valuation, ▸pricing and incentive mechanisms; andthe principle of waste minimisation. ▸

The EPBC Act describes the following principles of ecologically sustainable development:

decisionmaking processes should effectively ▸integrate both longterm and shortterm economic, environmental, social and equitable considerations; if there are threats of serious or irreversible ▸environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation; the principle of intergenerational equity that ▸the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations; the conservation of biological diversity and ▸ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration in decision making; andimproved valuation, pricing and incentive ▸mechanisms should be promoted.

The application of these principles to the Outer Harbour Development is described in Table 1.5.

Concept Phase Study

Selection Phase Study

Definition Phase Study

Execution Phase

Operation Phase

▼

Tollgate

▼

Tollgate

▼

Tollgate

▼

Tollgate

▼

Post Investment

ReviewFigure 1.4 – BHP Billiton Group’s Project Evaluation and Investment Process



Table 1.4 – Applicable Guidelines and Standards

Guidelines and Standards

EPA Guidance Statements

No. 1: Protection of Tropical Arid Zone Mangroves along the Pilbara Coast

No. 12: Minimising Greenhouse Gases

No. 18: Prevention of Air Quality Impacts from Land Development Sites

No. 20: Sampling of Short-range Endemic Invertebrate Fauna for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia

No. 33: Environmental Guidance for Planning and Development

No. 40: Management of Mosquitoes by Land Developers

No. 41: Assessment of Aboriginal Heritage

No. 51: Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia

No. 54: Consideration of Subterranean Fauna in Groundwater and Caves

No. 55: Implementing Best Practice in Proposals Submitted to the Environment Impact Assessment Process

No. 56: Terrestrial Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia

Draft EPA Guidance Statements

No. 8: Environmental Noise

Environmental Assessment Guideline

No. 1: Defining a Proposal.

No. 3: Protection of Benthic Primary Producer Habitats In Western Australia’s Marine Environment

No. 4: Towards Outcome-based Conditions Draft

No. 5: Draft Environmental Assessment Guideline for Protecting Marine Turtles from Light Impacts

EPA Position Statements

No. 2: Environmental Protection of Native Vegetation in Western Australia

No. 3: Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection

No. 7: Principles of Environmental Protection

Miscellaneous Publications

Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council & Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand (ANZECC/ARMCANZ) Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality 2000.

Contaminated Sites Management Series: Assessment Levels for Soil, Sediment and Water, Draft for Public Comment

Department of Environment: General Guidance on Managing Acid Sulfate Soils 2006a

Department of Environment: Pilbara Coastal Water Quality Consultation Outcomes: Environmental Values and Environmental Quality Objectives 2006

Department of Water: Stormwater Management Manual for Western Australia 2004-2007

Department of Environment and Conservation: Draft Identification and Investigation of Acid Sulfate Soils (2009a)

Department of State Development: Port Hedland Air Quality and Noise Management Plan, the Port Hedland Dust Management Taskforce Report, March 2010

EPA Application of Risk-based Approach in EIA, Draft for Comment, November 2008

EPA Guide to Preparing a Public Environmental Review/ Environmental Review and Management Program, June 2008

National Environment Protection Goals as defined in the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure



Guidelines and Standards

National Ocean Disposal Guidelines for Dredged Material1 (NODGDM) 2002

North-West Marine Bioregional Plan 2008

Water and Rivers Commission: Environmental Water Provisions Policy for Western Australia 2000: Statewide Policy No. 5

Western Australian Planning Commission: Draft Statement of Planning Policy: Road and Rail Transport Noise

Western Australian Planning Commission Planning Bulletin 64: Acid Sulfate Soils

Western Australian Planning Commission: Visual Landscape Planning in Western Australia: A Manual for Elevation, Assessment, Siting and Design

1The proposed Outer Harbour Development approvals for sea dumping were sought under the National Ocean Disposal Guidelines for Dredge Management (Environment Australia 2002). During this period, the NODGM have been revised and the environmental assessment process is now guided by the National Assessment Guidelines for Dredging (2009).

Table 1.5 – Core Environmental Principles

Principle Consideration Section of PER/EIS

1) EP Act: The precautionary principle Where there are threats of serious

or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation.

In application of this precautionary principle, decisions should be guided by: a) careful evaluation to avoid, where

practicable, serious or irreversible damage to the environment; and

b) assessment of the risk weighted consequences of various options.

The Outer Harbour Development has been subjected to a rigorous options evaluation which assessed the project against potential environmental and social impacts and related criteria.A risk assessment has been completed on the potential key and relevant environmental factors associated with the project.Specialist studies and site investigations have been conducted to increase the knowledge of the Port Hedland terrestrial and marine environments. Numerical models have been used to predict the potential impacts resulting from dredging, and noise and dust emissions.

Section 3Section 12Sections 5 and 6Sections 10 and 11

2) EP Act: The principle of intergenerational equity

The present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained and enhanced for the benefit of future generations.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore recognises the importance of sustainable development as detailed in BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s Sustainable Development Policy, and considers that this project can be implemented without adversely impacting on the environment for future generations.Where practicable, Indigenous heritage sites have been avoided. Where an indigenous heritage site cannot be avoided by the proposed works, consent from the Minister for Indigenous Affairs pursuant to Section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 will be sought. BHP Billiton Iron Ore has implemented a community consultation program and is committed to maintaining open dialogue with the community and addressing issues such as ongoing access to the social services and recreational facilities.

Section 11Section 4

3) EP Act: The principle of conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity

Conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration.

Site specific studies have been undertaken to determine the presence of Declared Rare Flora/Fauna, Priority Flora/Fauna and Threatened or Endangered Communities.Final design has considered the environmental values over the marine and terrestrial study areas and where practicable, measures have been taken to avoid (where possible) and minimise impacts (e.g. location of project footprint to minimise disturbance to mangroves).Dispersion modelling has been conducted to determine the impacts that dredging activities and disposal may have on the benthic primary producers in the area.

Sections 5 and 6Sections 9 and 10Section 10



Principle Consideration Section of PER/EIS

4) EP Act: The principles relating to improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanismsa) Environmental factors should be

included in the valuation of assets and services.

b) The polluter pays principles – those who generate pollution and waste should bear the cost of containment, avoidance and abatement.

c) The user of goods and services should pay prices based on the full life cycle costs of providing goods and services, including the use of natural resources and assets and the ultimate disposal of any waste.

d) Environmental goals, having been established, should be pursued in the most cost effective way, by establishing incentive structure, including market mechanisms, which enable those best placed to maximise benefits and/or minimise costs to develop their own solution and responses to environmental problems.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore recognises and accepts the costs of managing the project and its environmental impacts and these costs have been factored into the construction activities and ongoing operation/maintenance of the proposed facilities.When procurement and services are purchased during the execution phase of the Outer Harbour Development, BHP Billiton Iron Ore will make decisions which incorporate valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms. BHP Billiton Iron Ore will also endeavour to pursue these principles where ever possible during the life of the Outer Harbour Development.Decommissioning estimates will be accrued as part of BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s closure planning processes.

Section 3

5) EP Act: The principle of waste minimisation

All reasonable and practicable measures should be taken to minimise the generation of waste and its discharge into the environment.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore will adopt the following approach to waste management for the Outer Harbour Development , in order of preference:avoid and reduce at source;reuse and recycle; andtreat and/or dispose.

Sections 3 and 11

EPBC Act: Decision making processes should effectively integrate both longterm and shortterm economic, environmental, social and equitable considerations.

The Outer Harbour Development has been subjected to a rigorous options evaluation which assessed the project against potential impacts and environmental, social and economic criteria.

Section 3

EPBC Act: If there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation.

Refer to discussion regarding the equivalent EP Act precautionary principle above.

Sections 3,5, 6, 10 and 11

EPBC Act: The principle of intergenerational equity--that the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations.

Refer to discussion regarding the equivalent EP Act principle of intergenerational equity above.

Sections 4 and 11

EPBC Act: The conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration in decision making.

Refer to discussion regarding the equivalent EP Act principle of conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity above.

Sections 5, 6, 9 and 10

EPBC Act: Improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms should be promoted.

Refer to discussion regarding the equivalent EP Act principles relating to improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms above.

Section 3

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