Burrup Seawater Supply Scheme upgrade
Project goal:
Upgrade the existing Burrup Seawater Supply Scheme
Status:
In planning
Delivery Date:
2023 to 2025
What is happening?
We plan to upgrade the existing Burrup Seawater Supply Scheme to:
- ensure the continued safe operation and maintenance of the scheme
- enable the addition of a new customer
When is this happening?
Early works were completed from April 2023 to October 2023. The major upgrade work will begin in 2025, once all approvals are obtained.
What is the scope of works proposed through this project?
The proposed changes to the scheme include new infrastructure and upgrades to electrical supply assets.
The proposed works include:
- a minor jetty extension.
- additional pumps at the jetty location to upgrade the pump station.
- duplication of a small section of the seawater supply main.
- additional seawater storage located at the existing seawater supply tank site.
- addition of new customer connection points.
- upgrade of electrical supply and distribution assets.
Planned works associated with the Burrup Seawater Supply Scheme upgrade.
Completed early works
To enable the upgrade to progress to schedule, Water Corporation completed the following early works in 2023:
- Sinking portions of the aboveground powerline from the Yara Fertiliser Plant to the seawater supply tank,
- Installation of customer supply and return points on the pipeline,
- Installation of commissioning valves at the seawater pump station, brine tank site and the seawater supply tank site, and
- Realignment of a section of pipe located near the existing pig receival station.
Environmental approvals
Water Corporation is seeking approval to complete the scheme upgrade works under both State (Environmental Protection Act 1986) and Commonwealth (Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) environmental approval processes. The Burrup Seawater Supply Scheme currently operates under State Government Ministerial Statements (MS) 567 and 594, which allows for the abstraction of seawater and the disposal of up to 208 ML/day of industrial and domestic waste and brine.
We have completed marine modelling and environmental investigations, noise modelling and an Aboriginal Heritage Survey. Specific environmental studies undertaken have included a flora and fauna survey, benthic and habitat assessments (sea floor studies), marina fauna desktop assessment, dye tracer study and dispersion modelling, noise and air modelling and contamination studies. These will support our referrals for environmental approval.
Consultation with Traditional Owners has continued through Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation to ensure the works associated with the scheme are not going to impact known heritage sites. In the event of a previously unidentified heritage item being uncovered during works, all work will stop, and relevant procedures followed. An Indigenous Engagement Strategy has been developed for this project, which outlines our commitment to relationship building and participation opportunities for Aboriginal people.
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Description of works |
Environmental approval |
Timing of submission |
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The proposed works include:
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Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA) (EP Act) Proposed request under section 45C to amend MS 594 to change the proposal to include the description of works. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) administers the request for the amendment. Amendments under section 45C may not be made if they are considered significant. Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth) (EPBC Act) Proposed referral in accordance with the EPBC Act to assess whether the action needs approval under the EPBC Act. The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) administers the referral. Referrals that are not deemed to significantly impact on Matters of National Environmental Significance do not need approval. |
November 2023 |
Carina Harris - Community Engagement Specialist