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Public Information Booklet
Ships entering the port will need to meet all of the standard rules that apply to any ship
coming into any port in Australia. This includes quarantine, immigration and customs
requirements. In addition, companies such as Woodside require all ships that accept
cargo from their facilities be subjected to a vessel vetting process to ensure quality ships
are used and that they are compatible with the port.
The open ocean approach of the ships to the Dampier Peninsula will be under the control
of the ships captain. Given the location of James Price Point the ships will stay at least
16 nautical miles (30 kilometres or 18 miles) offshore of the Lacepede Islands as required
by normal seafaring practices. Seafaring practices will result in the ships captain
selecting a route that will stay in well surveyed and understood areas.
5.5. Environmental Management
Animals
Questions:
� What effect will the plant have on surrounding animals?
� Will the light from the plant affect turtles?
� What information is there about noise and its effect on calving whales?
Construction of the plant and all associated infrastructure will not commence until a
detailed environmental assessment is undertaken and all approvals are in place. The
environmental assessment determines the level of impact on all environmental features,
including the animals. Measures will be put in place to minimise impacts to an acceptable
level. For example this would include designing the layout of the plant and facilities to
avoid sensitive habitats where practicable, and putting in place operating procedures
such as speed limits to protect the wildlife.
When turtles come up to a beach to lay eggs, or hatchlings emerge from the nests, they
can be disoriented by artificial lighting from buildings or other coastal development. The
environmental impact assessment will identify whether there is potential for impacts from
lighting. If required the plant and all infrastructure can be designed so that the lighting
minimises impact on the turtles. This can be done by using particular types of lights, or
shielding the lights to reduce light spill onto sensitive areas.
The potential for noise from the construction activities, the LNG plant and LNG tankers
will be assessed as a part of the environmental assessment process. Once the level of
noise is understood, studies will be undertaken with whale and marine fauna experts to
determine whether the noise could impact on calving whales. If there is a risk of impacts
on calving whales then measures will be put in place to reduce the risk of any impacts.
This assessment will form the basis for the environmental approvals.
5.6. Noise, Water and Waste Management
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