Workshop to focus on South-West carbon capture and storage

The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) will run a workshop for locals this weekend about a South-West project which has the potential to develop Western Australia's first on-shore carbon capture and storage (CCS) site.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore said the Collie Hub proposal was examining options for carbon capture and storage using saline aquifers.

The initiative could potentially lower South-West CO₂ emissions by about 30 per cent and reduce the State's emissions by up to nine per cent.

"The area of interest is the Lesueur formation in the Swan Coastal Plain, north of the Kemerton industrial area, which desktop studies have identified as being the best potential storage site for CO₂," Mr Moore said.

The Community Views Workshop will be run independently by the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (CSIRO), but will also provide information about the proposed Collie Hub project, which was selected in 2009 as one of four potential National Flagship CCS projects in Australia.

"The workshop is designed to inform locals about the potential for carbon capture and storage in the South-West region near Harvey," the Minister said.

"It will also gather candid community perceptions about their knowledge of low emission energy technologies.  The information is important to progress the project and will add to national studies gauging public perceptions about Australia's energy future and the fight against climate change."

Mr Moore said the local community could play a vital role in the assessment and evaluation of the Collie Hub.  Participation in the workshop would help establish a framework for further studies and evaluation of the Collie Hub CCS concept.

The Collie Hub proposal is a Western Australian Government-Industry partnership, incorporating the DMP and a group of six major South-West companies.

The project involves capturing CO₂ from emissions sources, compressing the gas and pumping it deep (two kilometres to three kilometres) beneath the earth for permanent storage. 

This weekend's workshop will provide community members with the latest information on topics about low emissions with a view to establishing a framework for future public participation in studies and evaluation of the Collie Hub CCS concept.

The Federal Government Flagship Program was developed to help Australia meet its target of a 60 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions (on 2000 levels) by 2050.  A decision on the program is expected sometime during the first half of 2011.

The Minister said it was anticipated the next phase of the project, a seismic survey, could start within the next three months.

"If the South-West project goes ahead, it will ensure longevity of the region's most important industries, which currently provide jobs for more than 10,000 people," he said.

The workshop will be held on Saturday, February 12 from 9am to 4.30pm at the Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre.  To register attendance, phone Talia on

0439 065 681.

Minister's office - 9422 3000