Two proposals have been referred to the EPA with the intention of only one of these ultimately being selected and built. Fremantle Ports and the Department for Planning and Infrastructure are seeking approval for this development to handle the additional trade when Fremantle’s Inner Harbour reaches capacity. Both the Inner Harbour in Fremantle and the proposed additional facilities would then operate in tandem to handle the trade.

The level of assessment set by the EPA for both proposals now under detailed consideration for statutory approval is Environmental Review and Management Programme (ERMP).

A draft Scoping Document (see attached) has been prepared in accordance with WA Government procedures and is released for public review. This describes both proposals, summarises current knowledge about the area, identifies environmental and other issues associated with the two proposals and further studies to be carried out and provides an outline of what is proposed to be covered in the ERMP.

Public submissions close on Monday 4 February 2008

Hard copies and a CD-ROM version are available from:

·                  Fremantle Ports, 1 Cliff St, Fremantle 6160, Tel 9430 3555

·                  DPI, 469 Wellington St, Perth 6000, Tel 9264 7777

Copies also will be available for examination at:

·                Department of Environment and Conservation, Library/Reading Room, 4th Floor, The Atrium, 168 St Georges Tce, Perth WA 6000

·                Department of Environment and Conservation Regional Office, 2 Stidworthy Court, Kwinana 6167

·                Local libraries in Fremantle, Cockburn, Kwinana, and Rockingham.

The EPA prefers electronic submissions using one of the following:

·                the submission form on the EPA’s website: www.epa.wa.gov.au/submissions.asp

·                by email to submissions.eia@dec.wa.gov.au

·                by email to the officer hans.jacob@dec.wa.gov.au