Alcoa World Alumina Australia has welcomed the Environment Protection Authority’s recommendations in assessing the $440 million Pinjarra Refinery Efficiency Upgrade at the level of Environmental Protection Statement (EPS).
Alcoa World Alumina Australia has welcomed the Environment Protection Authority’s recommendations in assessing the $440 million Pinjarra Refinery Efficiency Upgrade at the level of Environmental Protection Statement (EPS).
Alcoa Director Western Australian Operations Giulio Casello said the EPA recognised Alcoa’s EPS preparations fully engaged government agencies, environmental interest groups and industry groups with a direct interest in the project as well as other key stakeholders.
The Pinjarra Refinery Efficiency Upgrade will improve environmental outcomes. Innovative, best practice technology will reduce priority emissions whilst increasing alumina output by about 17 per cent.
The economic and social benefits of the efficiency upgrade will be significant for the State’s economy.
The efficiency upgrade will increase export revenues by up to $160 million and enhance WA’s position as the world’s leading alumina producer. There will be further positive economic flow-on effects to the local community.
“Alcoa has engaged and informed neighbours and the wider community in the efficiency upgrade. We have sought their advice and input throughout. The result reflects this advice,” Mr Casello said.
“The Stakeholders Reference Group (SRG) has proved an excellent means by which the community has been engaged in the project. The SRG established a rigorous process through which the community has shared their views in developing our EPS document and improved various aspects of the project,” Mr Casello said.
“The SRG, along with weekly updates provided to the wider community, local newspapers and a background document provided to all neighbours, are means by which Alcoa is striving to ensure the community remains fully informed and engaged. It ensured the community’s views were fundamental to the assessment process.”
This has been recognised by the EPA. Its assessment report noted there had been a collaborative process whereby members of the community were empowered to determine both the makeup and membership of the SRG.
In support of the project, Alcoa has undertaken extensive environmental and health risk assessment studies that have been shared with the SRG and subjected to external expert review.
“The SRG selected the representatives included on the external expert review panel and assisted in designing the scope of these studies. They have been fully engaged to ensure the project contributes to the community’s vision for the future. This further demonstrates the open and involving nature of the process Alcoa has undertaken,” he said.
“Alcoa is very thankful to them for their time and their valuable advice and insights,” he said.
Mr Casello said members of the SRG would continue to contribute their advice on the environmental, social and economic aspects of the Pinjarra Refinery Efficiency Upgrade.
As part of Alcoa’s commitment for community engagement on the proposed efficiency upgrade, interested members of the public can obtain a copy of the EPA Report or the Environmental Protection Statement prepared by Alcoa, from the EPA Services unit on (08) 9222 8692 or at Alcoa's Pinjarra Refinery Efficiency Upgrade Project website.
A Ministerial decision on the efficiency upgrade is expected early in the new year.
Further Information:
Jo Ferrie
Alcoa World Alumina Australia
Corporate Affairs
Phone: +61 8 9316 5208
Note to editors:
- “Alcoa World Alumina” should not be contracted to “AWA.” This acronym is the registered name of another company.
- Alcoa World Alumina Australia is a trading name of Alcoa of Australia Limited, ACN 004 879 298
Pinjarra Refinery Efficiency Upgrade - Background
Complete details on the extensive community engagement process and environmental management documents are available at Alcoa's Pinjarra Refinery Efficiency Upgrade Project website.
The Pinjarra Refinery Efficiency Upgrade is a proposal to reduce emissions and increase production of alumina, from the Pinjarra refinery in the South West of Western Australia.
Consultation processes have been designed to secure maximum transparency and community engagement.
Development within Alcoa’s business sustainability framework ensures community involvement to achieve positive social, economic and environment project outcomes.
Emissions modelling and a health risk assessment were undertaken as part of the environmental approval process.
A stakeholder reference group including community, government and Alcoa representatives are using an agreed panel of experts to assist in the review of health and environmental aspects of the proposal.
The social and economic benefits of the Efficiency Upgrade will be significant for the State’s economy.
The Efficiency Upgrade will increase export revenues by up to $160 million and enhance WA’s position as the world’s leading alumina producer. There will be further positive economic flow on effects to the local community.
Already Alcoa is the largest contributor to the State's turnover and one of the largest value adders in WA. The company contributes economic and social benefits in the Peel and South West region, spending $1.1 billion in Western Australia each year.
In the Peel region alone, Alcoa’s direct expenditure with regional businesses is more than $154 million. We add value to economy of local communities through the preferred use of local suppliers and help local suppliers do business with us while encouraging other suppliers to employ locally.
Alcoa is one of Western Australia’s major regional employers providing over 5,000 people with employment predominantly in professional and skilled positions. The Pinjarra Efficiency Upgrade project will require a construction workforce of up to 1000 people.
The company is one of the State’s largest apprentice employers in the industrial sector – in 2003 Alcoa once again took on 23 apprentices – with a specific focus on employing young people from the Peel and South West Regions. Alcoa has trained 1000 apprentices since 1963.
|
|
Pinjarra Refinery Efficiency Upgrade
Read recent Alcoa news on the Pinjarra Refinery Efficiency Upgrade.
 more
Environment Protection Authority's Media Release
The Environmental Protection Authority has released its recommendations to the Minister for the Environment and set an ‘Environmental Protection Statement’ level of assessment on a proposal by Alcoa World Alumina Australia to construct and operate an upgrade to the seed filtration facility and associated plant from 3.6 to 4.2 million tonnes of alumina per annum at Pinjarra.
more
|
