Minister determines appeals for Alcoa Pinjarra refinery upgrade

6/2/04
Alcoa's Pinjarra refinery upgrade project can proceed subject to stringent environmental conditions.
Environment Minister Judy Edwards said Alcoa would now be able to increase its alumina production at Pinjarra by 600,000 tonnes per year, or 17 per cent.
"Detailed modelling shows that air quality after the upgrade will be well within recognised standards and will, for the majority of compounds, actually improve," Dr Edwards said.
"In making my determination, I considered the outcomes of the Health Risk Assessment, which found that exposure to residents living around the refinery, including the Pinjarra and North Pinjarra townsites, were well within acceptable levels.
"I am also confident that additional emissions control improvements under the upgrade will lead to further risk reduction."
Both the detailed air quality monitoring and Health Risk Assessment were subject to expert peer review. These people were selected by the stakeholder reference group set up by Alcoa to provide community input into the proposal.
A specialist review was also carried out by scientists in the Health Department and the Department of Environment.
"This process, undertaken by community selected experts, provides confidence in the outcomes of the work and is to be commended," Dr Edwards said.
The Minister's decision included a number of additional requirements. Detailed air quality and ongoing emissions reduction programs would have to be carried out in consultation with the community and with further expert review.
Alcoa must also revise its strategy for the disposal of residue in consultation with the local community and develop an alternative water supply program to optimise alternative water sources for the refinery.
"These programs should ensure community confidence that the refinery has the most comprehensive monitoring program in place," Dr Edwards said.
"While I recognise that emissions will generally be reduced with the upgrade, it is important that continuous improvement occurs and that further opportunities are taken to minimise the level of emissions."
Dr Edwards had also asked the Minister for State Development to ensure that increases in the rate of bauxite mining which flow from the upgrade were offset by additional rehabilitation.
She had also encouraged Alcoa to work with the Shire of Murray to develop a land use strategy for the refinery buffer and surrounding landholdings.
The Environmental Protection Authority recommended approval for the upgrade in December 2003 and five appeals were received by the Minister in relation to the EPA's assessment.
The Minister will finalise the environmental conditions for the project in consultation with other decision making authorities, over the coming weeks.
Minister's office: 9220 5050