The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) has considered the Port Melville development project and decided that no further assessment is required under the Environmental Assessment Act.
Chair of the NT EPA, Bill Freeland, said that the determination comes after a detailed consideration of the port components, including those yet to be constructed in the lease area along with the current operation of Port Melville.
Dr Freeland said that the NT EPA considered the environmental risks associated with Port Melville and decided the project can be managed in a manner that avoids significant environmental impact, provided all previous commitments and safeguards by the port operators are implemented and remain subject to regular monitoring, auditing and review.
“ The NT EPA has prepared a detailed statement of reasons supporting our decision, which includes recommendations to the Port proponent about protection for the Port area’s environmental values, covering marine turtles, dugong, seabirds, sediment and erosion control, heritage issues and potential for hydrocarbon spills ,” he said.
Dr Freeland said that the NT EPA will maintain a close supervisory role over the project and will need to be notified of any future upgrades or changes to the wharf or any other component of Port Melville that may alter the environmental significance of the development.
[mappress mapid=”21327″]