9.4.4 CARPENTER BEEF PTY LTD - APPLICATION
FOR RENEWAL OF PLANNING APPROVAL - JOANNA PLAINS PEAKER PROJECT
Location: Lot 3907, Brand Highway, Cataby
Applicant: Carpenter Beef Pty Ltd
Folder Path: Development Services Apps / Development
Application / 2009 / 48
Disclosure of
Interest: None
Date: 10 September 2013
Author: David Chidlow, Manager of Planning
Signature of Author:
Senior Officer: Ian Rennie, Deputy Chief Executive
Officer
Signature of Senior
Officer:
PROPOSAL
The proponent is seeking renewal of planning approval for
the establishment of the Joanna Plains Peaker Project on Lot 3907 Brand
Highway, Cataby.
BACKGROUND
This application was originally submitted to Council in
September 2009 on behalf of Griffin Energy Development Pty Ltd. There were a
number of issues relating to the application which precluded Council from
giving formal consideration to the application. These issues related to mineral
resources under the area of the application. These issues were resolved over a
period of time and at its meeting on the 24 November 2011, Council granted
conditional planning approval to the Joanna Plains Peaker Project for a period
of two (2) years. The conditions of approval are as follows:
1. The proponents shall provide a Traffic Management Plan to
Main Roads Western Australia and the Shire of Dandaragan prior to the
commencement of construction. The Traffic Management Plan shall address;
·
Transportation of materials to the project site;
·
Obtaining the necessary written approvals /
permits from Main Roads Western Australia Heavy Vehicle Operation Branch; and
·
The transport of all divisible and indivisible
loads and acquisition of necessary permits for transport of these loads.
2. The proponents shall provide road signage to the
specification and satisfaction of Main Roads Western Australia;
3. Following the submission of the application for planning
approval, if the proponent proposed changes resulting in significant additional
environmental impact in the opinion of the Shire of Dandaragan, these changes
shall not be undertaken without prior consultation with the Shire of Dandaragan
and the Environmental Protection Authority Service Unit;
4. The proponents are required to obtain a clearing permit
in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Protection (clearing of
native vegetation) Regulations 2004 in the case of any proposal to clear
existing remnant vegetation on the site to the satisfaction of the Department
of Environment and Conservation;
5. The Joanna Plains Peaker Project shall comply with the
Environmental Protection Authorities Guidance Statement No.3 for ¡§Electric
Power Generation¡¨;
6. Prior to the commencement of construction, the proponents
shall commission third party noise modelling studies to demonstrate the final
design complies with the relevant noise limits outlined in this approval;
7. The proponent shall ensure that no nesting birds of the
endangered species Carnaby¡¦s Black Cockatoo are disturbed by any resulting
works such as realignment of fence lines through or near mature trees;
8. Decommissioning of the plant and equipment on the subject
land will commence within a period of 12 months from termination of operations
and to be completed within a time period to the satisfaction of the Shire of
Dandaragan. This will occur following submission by the proponent of a plan
outlining the process of decommissioning;
9. Planning consent is granted for a maximum period of two
years from the date of this approval during which time the development must be
substantially commenced;
10. The proponent is advised that planning approval is not a
building licence. A building licence must be formally applied for and obtained
from Building Services before commencement of any site and / or development
works; and
11. That following completion of the construction of the
project, the Chief Executive Officer be authorised to request the proponent to
undertake screen planting sufficient to screen the development from the Brand
Highway.
The proposal is to construct and operate a 106MW ¡§peaking¡¨
dual fuel (diesel and gas) open cycle gas turbine power station that will
efficiently supplement electricity generation during times of high electricity
demand in the Mid-West Region. The project will be capable of being a
standalone unit or being aligned with other wind farm projects.
The project will be located on Lot 3907 being a site
characterised by gently undulating, cleared pasture lands. No native vegetation
or significant habitats will be disturbed as a result of the development and
construction will be carried out under best management practices.
COMMENT
The request for a 2 year extension to the planning approval
is permitted under the Local Planning Scheme;
Clause 10.5.2.of the Scheme states;
A written request may
be made to the local government for an extension of the term of planning
approval at any time prior to the expiry of the approval period in clause
10.5.1 (2 years).
However, in granting the extension it should be made clear
to the proponent that the Council¡¦s decision does not provide an avenue to
change any of the current conditions of approval nor afford a right of appeal
to the State Administrative Tribunal. The decision merely relates to the period
of time upon which construction work must have substantially commenced,
generally interpreted as “slab on the ground”, or in this instance could mean
footings completed.
Lot 3907 is located on a property in the Cataby area
approximately 160km north of Perth and approximately 21km west of the
Dandaragan town site. The subject land is commonly known as Joanna Plains. The
Joanna Plains farm is a 6950 hectare property comprising of four separate
Certificates of Title. The particular Certificate of Title affected by this
application is commonly referred to as “Marianas”.
The proposed development site comprises of an area of 1751
hectares, immediately west of the Brand Highway and is currently used for the
grazing of cattle. This site was selected as the most suitable location because
of the location of required infrastructure.
The Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline is located 11km from the proposed site, whilst the Parmelia gas pipeline is located less than 500m from the proposed site. A 132kV power line held by Western Power traverses the site from south-east to north-west. A 330kV easement also traverses the site and Western Power is in the process of upgrading the 132kV to 330kV as part of their Pinjar to Eneabba transmission line project.
The Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline is located 11km from the proposed site, whilst the Parmelia gas pipeline is located less than 500m from the proposed site. A 132kV power line held by Western Power traverses the site from south-east to north-west. A 330kV easement also traverses the site and Western Power is in the process of upgrading the 132kV to 330kV as part of their Pinjar to Eneabba transmission line project.
The site is currently used for grazing and was cleared some
20 to 30 years ago. The Joanna Plains farm is located on land zoned “Rural”
under the Shire of Dandaragan Local Planning Scheme No.7. Land to the east of
the site is also zoned Rural however, land to the north and south is reserved
for “Public Purposes” and the land to the immediate west is reserved for
¡§Conservation¡¨.
Also located on the Joanna Plains farm is a cattle feedlot operation
which has been operational for approximately five years and is situated 4400
metres from the site of the proposed Peaker Project. The Joanna Plains Peaker
Project is considered to be separate to the feedlot as it occupies a different
lot number which does not form part of this application. The subject site is
currently improved by one dwelling, situated 4500 metres to the south of the proposed
development site. This is currently needed for farm employees and presently
houses the farm manager. The nearest private residence is the Billinue
Aboriginal Community which is 3390 metres to the north of the proposed site.
The applicant advises that the following components are
proposed to be used in this project:
·
2 x 60MW generators ie operating capacity of
106MW;
·
Control room;
·
Fuel oil skid;
·
Gas skid;
·
18 metre exhaust stack;
·
Maintenance / storage building;
·
Water treatment building; and
·
Fuel tanks.
It is proposed that the plant is designed and intended to be
run on a remote basis. The units are capable of operating on dual fuel basis
meaning the turbines can function on various fuels including bio diesel, diesel
or natural gas. The units are designed as a small modular configuration that is
primarily constructed offsite and prefabricated modules are transported to site
and basically bolted onto the concrete slab. Each turbine can operate either independently
or in sync with the other. This allows the two turbines to be progressively
brought online within a short period to meet electricity demand. This means the
Joanna Plains Project has the capacity to efficiently operate to a minimum
output of 15MW through to a maximum output of 106MW.
The proposed substation will occupy 10% of the total area
being approximately 4000 square metres and house the outdoor switch gear and a
control room fitted out with switch gear, protection, metering and communication
equipment.
Access to the proposed site will be located along the
northern boundary of the Mariana¡¦s paddock and is directly available from the
Brand Highway via a new road of approximately 1500 metres. If necessitated, the
land owner is agreeable to including the proposed access drive within a
dedicated easement. The access road design and the construction will need to
suit the sandy soils with possible suitable construction material located about
10 kilometres away. The proposed vehicle manoeuvring area will be constructed
to a suitable standard to accommodate heavy ridgid vehicles and will enable all
vehicles to enter and exit the site in forward gear after performing no more
than a 3 point turn. This access is the subject of a submission from Main Roads
Western Australia.
General temporary facilities required for construction will
include:
·
Site sheds and offices;
·
Ablution facilities;
·
Crib room;
·
Covered external area;
·
Lay down areas; and
·
Small car park.
Application for these temporary facilities will be the
subject of aseparate application for planning approval as well as for the issuing
of a temporary building licence. These facilities will be removed following
construction and all areas disturbed will be rehabilitated. It is anticipated
that the initial construction phase would be completed within six months of
onsite works commencing.
CONSULTATION
The application for planning approval was previously
extensively advertised in 2011. All those that made submissions in 2011 were advised
by letter of the proposed extension of planning approval and requested to
advise if there were any changes to their comments/advice. No formal responses
of any changes have been received at the time of the preparation of this
report.
STATUTORY ENVIRONMENT
·
Local Planning Scheme No 7
·
Local Planning Strategy Rural Land Use and
Rural Settlement
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
There are no policy implications relevant to this item.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The applicant has paid a sum of $3,751.10 for extension of
the planning approval.
STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS
·
Shire of Dandaragan Local Planning Strategy ¡V
Rural Land Use and Rural Settlement
ATTACHMENTS
Circulated with the agenda are the following items relevant
to this report:
·
Site plan (Doc Id: 16078)
·
Separation plan (Doc Id: 16080)
·
Infrastructure plan (Doc Id: 16083) (Marked 9.4.4)
VOTING REQUIREMENT
Simple majority
OFFICER RECOMMENDATION
That Council:
1. Pursuant to Clause 10.5.2 of the Shire of Dandaragan
Local Planning Scheme No.7 grant a two year extension to the planning approval granted
24 November 2011 for the Joanna Plains Peaker Project on Lot 3907 Brand
Highway, Cataby resulting in the revised expiry date of 24 November 2015; and
2. That the applicant be advised the extension of time to
the current planning approval does not alter the conditions of approval nor
afford a right of appeal to the State Administrative Tribunal. The decision
relates to the period of time upon which construction work must have substantially
commenced as determined by the Council
