Minister identifies additional conditions for Biomass plant

Environment Minister Donna Faragher has applied additional conditions to a 40MW Biomass power plant proposal in Manjimup.

The Minister today partly allowed 15 appeals from members of the public in relation to the proposed plant following advice from the Appeals Convenor.

"The key concerns related to the impact of emissions on the environment, agriculture and human health," Mrs Faragher said.

"In light of these concerns, I have applied additional conditions including the requirement to carry out additional monitoring and reporting on emissions."

The Minister said the detail of these conditions would be considered through a consultation process with relevant decision-making authorities, before a final decision was made on the proposal.

"It is my expectation that the proponent Western Australia Biomass will convene a community reference group comprising all relevant stakeholders and will operate the plant in accordance with its management commitments," she said.

"In making this decision, the interests of the community have been an important consideration and I am confident that this focus will continue."

Mrs Faragher said there were some concerns about the proposed plant's location at Diamond Mill, which had been presented to and assessed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

"The EPA assessment found that it is unlikely that its environmental objectives will be compromised so long as the proponent's management commitments and the recommended conditions are implemented," she said.

"Any potential impact on the image of the surrounding agricultural area and on road safety associated with the location of the proposal are matters for consideration through the planning process."

The Appeals Convenor's report and the Minister's determination are available at http://www.appealsconvenor.wa.gov.au