Shire of Northampton raises concerns with State over Kalbarri green energy project, says approval ‘premature’

The Shire of Northampton has voted to express concerns over a State Government proposal to facilitate a $15 billion green energy project, saying any comment on it was “premature”.

The council meeting last Thursday attracted 115 residents who raised fears about the implications from a request from the Department of Planning, Lands, and Heritage (DPLH) for the Murchison House Station pastoral lease.

The shire said it was asked to provide comment to the department, which proposed an “option to lease” for Murchison Hydrogen Renewables Pty Ltd for a large scale renewable and hydrogen project north of Kalbarri.

The leases were for wind and solar generation (lease one) which is determined by the State, hydrogen electrolysis, ammonia production (both lease two), ammonia storage, water desalination and treatment (both lease three), and a diversification lease for conservation activities, cultural purposes and tourism (lease four).

Leases two and three would require changes to the council’s local planning scheme.

A DPLH letter to the shire said the grant of the option would “create an equitable interest in the land” and provide “a secure pathway to long-term tenure”, with the proposed lease of 30 years with two further 15-year terms.

The department sought comments from the shire about the project and the lease options.

During public question time, residents Raina Robinson and Shandi Baldwin both referred to a survey presented in Parliament last year by independent MLC Sophia Moermond that said 94 per cent of the community was not in favour of the project.

Shire president Liz Sudlow said the survey would be taken into consideration and that she and the councillors were all representatives of the community.

She also said the shire would not be making the decision and DPLH had asked only for its comment.

Residents also raised environmental concerns about the project. Chief executive Andrew Campbell said the Environmental Protection Agency would do its due diligence.

Councillors voted unanimously to object to the leases as proposed due to no provisions being made to ensure ongoing “free and unfettered” access to the coast or Murchison River for the public.

They also agreed approval was “premature”, as the local planning scheme had not been amended to allow a lease to be granted, and they were concerned any approval could be used to justify changes to land in the future.

Cr Sudlow said while the shire was not necessarily against the project, the potential $15b investment could have ramifications.

“In the construction phase of the project, they’re talking about a workforce of 3600 (people). The population of the entire shire at the moment is 3200,” she said.

“It has the potential to fundamentally change the face of not only Kalbarri but the broader Mid West, depending on how the project goes ahead.

“From a local government perspective, we need to ensure we can provide the amenities and facilities to the people of Kalbarri and if the population is suddenly going to increase, then we need to have time to plan for that.”