The Western Australian government has granted Alcoa  a five-year extension to expand its Wagerup Alumina Refinery.


The expansion of the existing refinery to a maximum production capacity of 4.7 million tonnes per annum was approved in September 2006.  However, implementation has not substantially commenced due in part to the impact of the global financial crisis.

 


Environment Minister Bill Marmion asked the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to review Alcoa’s application to extend the time limit.


“The EPA recommended that as the environmental factors of the proposal had not significantly changed and no new factors had emerged since the initial approval, the time limit be extended a further five years,” Mr Marmion said.

 

Mr Marmion said prior to construction, Alcoa would still require a Works Approval from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).

 

“Further public consultation will be undertaken by the DEC as part of the assessment process prior to a Works Approval and an amended licence being issued,” he said.

 

Under regulation 17 of the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997, the EPA also recommended the Minister approve a variation of the allowable level of noise emissions from the refinery for a two-year period in which Alcoa must use its ‘best endeavours’ to purchase the remaining noise-affected properties.

 

“This approval sets noise limits at several residential locations surrounding the refinery and is based on Alcoa’s commitment to not increase its noise emissions if the expansion proceeds,” Mr Marmion said.