Griffin want to export coal through Bunbury in shipping containers

Thursday 24 July 2014

Last week, the Environmental Protection Authority received an application from Griffin Coal to begin the export of coal in shipping containers through the Port of Bunbury in anticipation of it proposed Coal Export Terminal Development at Berth 14A due for completion in 2017.

Greens Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Chapple MLC said for Lanco Infratech, the company who runs Griffin Coal, to claim the two projects as independent was ridiculous.

“This application is very clearly a pilot project for Lanco to test the waters for its upcoming larger port expansion,” Mr Chapple said.

“It’s likely that conditions associated with this temporary export facility will be used as precedents in its major port upgrade.

“As such, this smaller proposal must be subject to a Public Environmental Review – the same level of environmental assessment as the major upgrade.”

Mr Chapple said it was disingenuous for the federal and state governments to dismiss the global environmental impact an increase in coal exports would have.

“Lanco are estimating a fourfold increase in coal production as a result of these port upgrades,” he said.

“The EPA should be considering the contribution to global emissions of burning that coal on top of the significant local impacts.

“After all, we are responsible for taking it out of the ground.”

Mr Chapple said he was also concerned about the local impacts of transporting, storing and exporting coal in shipping containers.

“Aside from the massive increase in truck traffic on South-West Highway between the Picton rail container depot and Bunbury Port there could be an increase in coal dust and potential for accidental spillages into the harbour,” he said.

“I’m highly sceptical of this proposal in every respect - the two projects should be considered as an integrated development which is assessed at the highest possible level.”

For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 9486 8255

Go to top