Report on the Implementation of the derogation to ... - Trade Websites

Final <strong>Report</strong>
RoO Derogation under the PACP-IEPA
PMIZ, Madang Province
A feasibility study was commissioned in late 2009/early 2010 111 and an EIS was submitted to DEC for
the PMIZ development. As noted earlier, approval in principle for the project was given by the then
Minister for Environment and Conservation in March 2011. With the change in Government, an
immediate review of aspects of the project was directed, for completion by December 2011.
Some opposition to the project has been expressed by local community members, on environmental
and other grounds and, as mentioned previously, an injunction to halt the project has been lodged.
Environmental concerns include pollution (i.e. air, noise, waste water) as well as impacts on
threatened species in the lagoon area.
The draft SEZ includes provisions for environmental legislation. Under the draft SEZ legislation
(Special Economic Zones Act, 2011), Sect 57, the Authority (DCI in this case) and “the relevant
competent Agency responsible for environment matters for the protection and maintenance of the
environment, water supply, natural resources and biological diversity (DEC) in each SEZ” .. “shall
execute a MoU to establish , consistent with this Act and any other law with regard to –
(a) environmental impact assessments
(b) environmental permits, approvals and certificates
(c) air and water quality, emission and effluent limits
(d) enforcement and monitoring, including inspection and auditing procedures
(e) contingency and emergency planning, and
(f) penalties, fines, sanctions and remedial actions”
These requirements will clearly apply to PMIZ though it is unlikely that an MoU will be prepared until
the legislation is passed. Some preliminary community consultation has been held on environmental
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aspects of the development. It is also assumed that an Environmental Management Plan may be
needed for the new port area/wharves which may eventually come under the control of the PNG
Ports Authority. There is some concern that negotiation for Phase 1 construction activity may not
have fully incorporated best practice environmental management technologies in the construction
plans.
According to the PMIZ site plan, ten sites are available for processing facility development with the
PMIZ. Currently firm plans are in place for only plant within PMIZ (i.e. Niugini Tuna Ltd.).
All environmental quality requirements for this facility and any others which arise in the future will
be covered under the PMIZ MoU with DEC and associated requirements.
Malahang Industrial Area, Lae
Currently, plans are in place for an additional three new tuna processing investments in Lae (see
Section 3.2.3). These developments will all require appropriate environmental approvals and
conditions. With the site located inland, the main environmental requirement will be the
implementation of an approved Waste Management Plan (air, water and solid waste) with
associated monitoring and inspection requirements. In the case of IFC, the existing mackerel cannery
which is introducing a tuna processing line, an upgraded WMP associated with increased production
111 CSYIC, undated.
112 Seminar held at Divine Word University, Madang, 2011; details and record of discussion not available.
Linpico s.a.r.l. Page 78