The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has recommended the State Government’s first stage of the Yanchep rail line for environmental approval, provided conditions to minimise impacts to Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo and other local wildlife are met.
Releasing the EPA’s environmental assessment of the Yanchep Rail Extension Part 1 today, EPA Chair Dr Tom Hatton said the project’s proponent, Public Transport Authority (PTA), would need to undertake measures to minimise the proposal’s impact on the surrounding environment.
“The proposal to construct and operate a 7.3-kilometre rail line from Butler to Eglinton would involve the clearing and disturbance of up to 63.3 hectare (ha) , which includes 48.2ha of Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo foraging habitat,” Dr Hatton said.
“The EPA has recommended conditions requiring the PTA to acquire offsets to counterbalance the predicted significant impact to the Carnaby’s habitat and a threatened ecological community as well as implement an environmental management plan to minimise impacts to the Alkimos Parks and Recreation Reserve.
“The EPA is supportive of PTA mitigation measures including noise walls and ballast matting to reduce the impact on current and future residents as well as engineering measures to minimise the risks of dune erosion.”
The PTA has also committed to ensuring the proposal is designed and constructed with a fauna underpass to maintain native fauna movements through the Alkimos Parks and Recreation Reserve following completion of construction.
This proposal is part of the State Government’s METRONET and includes two new transit stations for rail and bus at Alkimos and Eglinton. It also includes the construction of stormwater drainage and a turnback facility north of Eglinton Station to allow for the turning of two six-car trains, if required.
The EPA is assessing the second part of the Yanchep Rail extension from Eglinton to Yanchep, where public comments will be sought later this year.
The EPA’s report to the Minister for Environment is now open for a two-week public appeal period, closing 20 May 2019. Appeals can be made at www.appealsconvenor.wa.gov.au
The Minister for Environment will make the final decision.
EPA Report 1634 is available here.
EPA Media Contact: Vivienne Ryan on 0400 866 450
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