Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 1716

❓ The question scrutinizes the WA Minister for the Environment regarding the enforceability and protectiveness of state-level air quality conditions for the North West Shelf Extension, specifically concerning rock art and the National Heritage Place (NHP), in light of concerns raised by the Commonwealth Minister.

⏳ Awaiting AnswerQoN 1716Legislative Council

Asked

18 June 2026

Member

Hon Sophie McNeill

Portfolio

the Environment

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to Commonwealth Minister for the Environment's Statement of Reasons for the decision to approve the North West Shelf Extension under the EPBC Act, and in particular the following statement contained in that document referring to the State Conditions: "The department considered that there is considerable uncertainty that the proposed condition set specific to air quality will be enforceable or sufficiently protective of the rock art. The department did not consider that there was sufficient evidence that a 60% emissions reduction required by MS 1233 would be sufficient to protect the values of the NHP. The department also noted that the KGP would remain the majority emitter of industrial air emissions, and that the Appeals Committee also considered that limits of stack emissions to reduce NOx were a necessary precautionary measure to protect rock art. I agree that there is considerable uncertainty and doubt that the MS 1233 conditions would protect the NHP values from impacts due to air emissions." And I ask:
(a) does the Minister or department accept this assessment; and
(b) does the Minister or department still consider that the State Environmental Impact Assessment process can meet the requirements of the EPBC Act under Accredited Assessment arrangements?
Answered on