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Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Extraction Project: Consultative Environmental Review
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Extraction Project: Consultative Environmental Review
Centre
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THIS CONSULTATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
for
ADDITIONAL FACILITIES TO LIQUEFIED
PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) EXTRACTION PROJECT
WITHIN EXISTING ONSHORE TREATMENT PLANT
BURRUP PENINSULA (782)
by
HALPERN GLICK MAUNSELL PTY LTD
Consulting Engineers and Environmental Scientists
1 Ord Street West Perth WA 6005
LIBRARY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECT
WESTRALIA SQUARE
141 ST. GEORGES TERRACE, PERTH
Cover Photograph
(Courtesy of Kevron Aerial Surveys Pty Ltd):
A view of the W'oodside Onshore Gas Treatment Plant
looking east from Mermaid Sound.
It is proposed to establish the liquefied petroleum
gas export facility on the foreground shoreline.
Following receipt of comments from government agencies and the public, the
EPA will prepare an assessment report with recommendations to the government,
taking into account issues raised in the submissions.
If you prefer not to write your own comments, it may be worthwhile joining
with a group interested in making a submission on similar issues. Joint
submissions may help to reduce the workload for an individual or group, as
well as increase the pool of ideas and information. If you form a small group
(up to 10 people) please indicate all the names of the participants. If your
group is larger, please indicate how many people your submission represents.
Developing a submission
You may agree or disagree with, or comment on, the general issues discussed
in the CER or the specific proposals. It helps if you give reasons for your
conclusions, supported by relevant data. You may make an important
contribution by suggesting ways to make the proposal environmentally more
acceptable.
When making comments on specific proposals in the CER:
By keeping the following points in mind, you will make it easier for your
submission to be analysed:
If you discuss sections of the CER, keep them distinct and separate,
so there is no confusion as to which section you are considering.
Attach any factual information you wish to provide and give details
of the source. Make sure your information is correct.
Remember to include:
your name
your address
date.
Chairman
Environmental Protection Authority
Westralia Square
141 St George's Tee
PERTH WA 6000
If you have any questions on how to make a submission please phone the
Project Officer, Mr Shane Sadleir, on (09) 222 7034.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION 5
3.1 Background
3.2 Proponent
3.3 Responsible Authority
3.4 Scope of Proposed Project
3.5 Location
3.6 Timing
3.7 Alternatives Considered
3.8 Purpose and Structure of the CER
3.9 Approvals Process
4.1 Location
4.2 Zoning
4.3 Nearest Urban Areas
4.4 Site Description
4.4.1 Terrestrial Flora and Fauna
4.4.2 Marine Biotic Assemblages
4.4.3 Aboriginal Heritage
4.5 Effects of Historic Dredging Operations
4.6 Current Marine Monitoring Programme
PROJECT DESCRIPTION 13
Page
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Risk Standards and Criteria
6.3 Objectives of the Quantitative Risk Assessment
6.4 Discussion of Major QRA Findings
6.5 Main QRA Conclusions
COMMITMENTS 29
8.1 Preconstruction
8.2 During Construction
8.3 Post Construction
REFERENCES 31
APPENDICES
Separately bound
LIST OF FIGURES
ha Hectare.
LNG Liquefied Natural Gas. LNG is the name given to the methane
portion of natural gas which has been liquefied by cooling to
minus 1610C.
LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas. LPG is the name given to the propane
and/or butane fraction of natural gas that is collected as a
by-product in the production of LNG.
m Metre.
Page 1
Pickle Liquors A solution used to clean a metal of all oxide layers and
welding scale.
Page 2
2. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The Project will involve the installation of two storage tanks, a chiller
unit, fire protection equipment, an auxiliary substation and associated
infrastructure within the existing process area and a new ship jetty parallel
with, and to the north of, the existing jetty. No extension of the Plant
boundary is required.
The core portions of this phase of development at the Onshore Gas Treatment
Plant were described in 1980' and subjected to public review6.
In 1980 it was suggested that LPG would be loaded to ships from the LNG/
condensate jetty and that the process equipment would be water cooled. It is
now envisaged that a new jetty will be required and that air cooled process
equipment will be used. The core portions of the process remain unchanged.
In recognition of the significant time lag between the 1980 submissions and
the proposed beginning of construction, the change from sea water to air
cooling and the addition of a new jetty to the scope, the Project has been
presented for public review through the submission of this Consultative
Environmental Review (CER).
The existing Gas Treatment Plant occupies 231ha on a lease at Withnell Bay,
near Dampier on the Burrup Peninsula about 1,300km north of Perth. During
construction more than 12 years ago some 6.28 million cubic metres of rock
and soil were moved to make the site level, so the area within the lease has
undergone major disturbance. The portions of Plant constructed to date
consist of a Domgas Plant, an LNG Plant, LNG storage facilities, condensate
storage facilities, a ship jetty, ship loading equipment, and administration
buildings.
The marine biotic assemblages in the vicinity of the proposed new jetty are
oyster-barnacle, coral and mollusc-cchinoderm. The potential impacts
identified are physical damage to corals as a result of construction
activities and an increased siltation on corals through dredging operations
and increased shipping activity. These potential impacts are considered to be
localised and minor.
Page 3
Since 1985 Woodside has undertaken regular monitoring of the marine environ-
ment in the vicinity of the Gas Treatment Plant. To date this chemical and
ecological monitoring programme (CHEMMS) has found only minor project-related
effects. It is proposed to monitor the effects of the LPG development as part
of this programme.
An Aboriginal Site Survey, commissioned for this CER (Appendix II), confirmed
the location of two 'heritage sites' that were previously identified. The
intention is to install the LPG Unit process and jetty without damaging these
sites.
The risk associated with the existing Gas Treatment Plant's operation is well
within acceptable limits38'39. A risk study, commissioned for this CER
(Appendix III), indicates that the installation of the LPG process will cause
little change in the overall risk to the public arising from the Gas
Treatment Plant. The cumulative risk is well within EPA criteria for the
categories of land use currently designated for the area. No change to the
existing buffer zones surrounding the plant will be required.
Page 4
3. INTRODUCTION
3.1 BACKGROUND
administration buildings.
At the moment, LPG is separated out of the LNG gas stream and used in the LNG
refrigeration process. Excess LPG is mixed with the Domgas stream for
consumption in Western Australian scheme gas.
When the Goodwyn field comes on line in early 1994 the capacity of the
existing Plant to utilise all of the LPG components of the hydrocarbon stream
will be limited. It is now the intention of Woodside to implement the
construction and operation of the LPG portion of the facility.
3.2 PROPONENT
Page 5
3.3 RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY
pipework to connect the new unit process to the existing LNG facility;
In summary, the proposed LPG facility will not separate and produce LPG
because this is already done within the existing LNG plant. The new facility
will only store and ship the excess LPG that is already being produced in the
LNG plant.
3.5 LOCATION
The proposed facilities are to be built within the existing Onshore Gas
Treatment Plant lease on the Burrup Peninsula (Figure 1).
3.6 TIMING
Page 6
Proposed
export jetty
Proposed
LPG storage
I facilities
Proposed
LPG chiller unit
~~ A
mdi
0
CN
Mermaid
Sound
ishore"... Wkhnell
4 + - -.
Bay
uIaLmenL -.
Plant Lease
No Name Creek
King Nic.kol
Bay Bay
N FIGURE ii
reinject the LPG fraction into the North Rankin 'A' reservoir for
future use. This is expensive through the need to 'double handle'
the fraction.
Woodside has elected to proceed with the LPG processing facility as proposed
in the 1980 addenda to the EIS/ERMP.
The purpose of this CER is to describe the existing environment and the LPG
process in sufficient detail to allow the potential impacts of the Project to
be identified and assessed and to allow formulation of proposals for the
mitigation or management of such impacts. Descriptions of the environment,
including biological, ethnographic and social, are restricted to the area of
potential impact, namely:
the seabed in the vicinity of the proposed new LPG berth including
areas that may be impacted by sediment plumes originating during
dredging operations;
the area between the existing LNG/condensate export jetty and the
proposed LPG jetty, particularly in relation to areas of Aboriginal
heritage;
Page 7
EPA Guidelines applicable to this CER are provided in Appendix I and the
Aboriginal site survey is provided in Appendix II. The Quantitative Risk
Assessment is separately bound in Appendix III.
After submission to the EPA the CER is made available for public review.
Written submissions from interested or involved groups and from relevant
Government agencies are sought during a four week public review period. At
the conclusion of this period the EPA collates the submissions and provides
the proponent with an opportunity to respond to the issues raised. Both the
public submissions and the proponent's responses are then incorporated into
the EPA's assessment of the proposal. The EPA's assessment report provides
advice to the Minister for the Environment who then sets ministerial
conditions, usually based on the EPA's recommendations.
Page 8
4. PROPOSED LOCATION AND SITE DESCRIPTION
4.1 LOCATION
4.2 ZONING
The Department of Land Administration considers that the tenure of all land
adjacent to the Onshore Gas Treatment Plant and not under specific lease to
Woodside (laydown area lease and quarry lease) is vacant Crown Land.
The Pilbara 21 Report9 has been prepared and presents concepts for land
use on the Burrup Peninsula. It is currently unclear as to how this study
will be considered by Government as a basis for future planning.
The construction of LPG facilities will not change the impact of the Onshore
Gas Treatment Plant on the current or proposed land uses of the Burrup
Peninsula.
The site proposed for construction of the LPG facilities is within the
existing plant boundary and is situated on fill material. It is designated
for industrial development and consequently no formal flora or fauna surveys
were required.
Page 9
LEGEND
Inter - tidal assemblages
sand
LNG LOADP4G
JE1TY -
MERMAID SOUND
SLUGCATCHER
'I
k-, /0 40
(\/ ,/.oA
---- o
'-
'0
o'
L-
oyster-barnacle: occurring on intertidal solid substrates between
mean sea level and high neap tide. This is the main intertidal
assemblage along the western shore of Burrup Peninsula;
An Aboriginal Site Survey was undertaken at the Gas Treatment Plant during
February and March 199316. The full report is included in Appendix II
and summarised below.
Page 10
The survey covered an area of approximately 30ha within Woodside's LNG lease.
A total of 13 archaeological sites have been previously recorded from the
survey area. Eleven of these sites have been cleared and all of Woodside's
obligations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act have been met.
Two archaeological sites remain in the survey area, namely P1561 and P1601,
both of which are located on the coastline. P1561 is considered of high
significance consisting of 165 engravings, 4 grinding patches and 1 standing
stone. It is recommended by the Consultants that the site be preserved. P1601
is considered to be of moderate to high significance consisting of 65 engrav-
ings and one grinding patch. The LNG jetty approaches were constructed on the
southern boundary of site P1601 and consequently the site has been partially
cleared. The Consultant has recommended that the Western Australian Museum be
consulted if any disturbance to the sites is required.
Both sites are well protected by a cyclone fence with access gained only
through a padlocked gate.
Dredging and spoil dumping operations for the LNG shipping channel commenced
in October 1986 and ceased in April 1988. Between October 1986 and June 1987
approximately 1.65 million m3 of dredge spoil was pumped to the No Name
Creek reclamation area. It was anticipated that the total suspended solids
concentration in the dredge spoil tailwater passing through the settlement
pond into No Name Bay would not exceed 25,000ppm. This level was exceeded and
a quantity of spoil was unintentionally deposited into No Name Bay.
During 1988 and early 1989 cyclonic activity caused localised collapse of the
shipping channel which required maintenance dredging during August and
September 1989. This dredge SDoil was disnosd nffshnrt'
dredging and dumping operations carried out between 1986 and 1988
resulted in a minor reduction in coral numbers and percentage Cover
of live corals within a 1.5km radius of dredging activities; and
Page 11
during the period of maintenance dredging and dumping, no sediment-
ation on corals or coral mortality was observed at any of the
monitored sites.
Since 1985 Woodside has undertaken regular monitoring of the marine environ-
ment in the vicinity of the Gas Treatment Plant'8"9'20'21'22'23'24.
This chemical and ecological monitoring programme (CHEMMS) is a Woodside
initiative. Figure 3 shows the location for CHEMMS and associated monitoring
sites around the Dampier Archipelago.
Based on this information the objective of the CHEMMS programme was redefined
with greater focus being placed on determining the effects of sedimentation
on subtidal coral assemblages. This revised programme commenced in July 1991
and is due to run for three years on a bi-annual basis. Results of the
November 1991 and May 1992 survey are provided in the second annual
report23 and summarised in the 1992 Interim Report24.
Currently the CHEMMS programme monitors corals, rocky shore animals, trace
metals and hydrocarbons in rock oysters, trace metals in sediments, and hydro-
carbons and nutrients in sea water. Metal concentrations in sediments and
oysters from the Woodside King Bay Supply Base are also determined.
To date the CHEMMS programme has found only minor project-related effects. Of
relevance in this context is the effect of increased sedimentation in the
immediate vicinity of the shipping channel and turning basin and in No Name
Bay.
Page 12
SITE LEGEND:
Indian
Ocean
KENDRFW
ISLAND
Mermaid
Sound
IN CONZINC
,ISLAND
4 C14
/ 'p
WiIhnelI
CHEM S 4 Bay
CHEMMS 2
2
L
K5
No Name Cru CHEMMS 1
Onshore
Treatment
Plant Lease
CHEMriS2] Mckol
King B Bay
N
+
AMPIE
5km )
iisa FIGURE 3
/
CHEMICAL AND ECOLOGICAL MONITORING MERMAID SOUND
(CHEMMS) SAMPLING SITES
Environment April 1993
A. Chegwidden
VAYWOODSIDE OFFSHORE PETROLEUM PlY. LTD. Rev
U A.C.N.oO85OG7 C21 100-4997s
I
5. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The product from a gas well is a mixture of water, gaseous hydrocarbons and
liquid hydrocarbons. The water is removed from the mixture at the offshore
facility and 'dried' hydrocarbons are directed onshore for processing. When
the two phase product (liquid and gas mixed together) arrives at the Gas
Treatment Plant it first goes to a 'slugcatcher' where the gas and liquid are
allowed to separate.
The Gas Treatment Plant was designed to produce liquefied natural gas (LNG)
as one of its primary products. LNG is primarily the methane portion of the
'slugcatcher' gas. To produce LNG it is necessary to remove almost everything
that is not methane. First carbon dioxide and water vapour are removed. The
gas is then cooled to a temperature where some of the heavier hydrocarbons
(ethane and above) condense but the methane remains a gas. The gas is further
treated in the 'scrub column' to remove the heavier hydrocarbons. The methane
is then cooled to minus 161°C where it condenses. The liquid methane is
the LNG product.
The heavier hydrocarbons (ethane, propane, butane) are separated from each
other in a 'fractionation unit'. The fractionation unit produces several main
products:
Page 13
From Offshore
Woodside does not envisage the installation of equipment which would allow
the loading of road tankers with LPG. All transport of LPG in this proposal
will be by ship.
Woodside currently uses the LNG jetty to load condensate to tankers. The
proposed LPG jetty is also being designed with the capacity to load
condensate. This will afford Woodside added flexibility in organising the
logistics of product loading. The risk assessment conducted for the LPG
project has included the option of condensate loading from the LPG jetty.
Preparation of the construction site will require the removal of a small rock
outcropping and final levelling of the construction area. It is believed that
all of this work can be accomplished with standard earth moving equipment.
The LPG facility will Contain two cryogenic storage tanks (50m diameter; 25m
high). The tanks consist of a concrete containment shell surrounding a steel
tank with an aluminium roof. The space between the concrete containment shell
and the metallic inner shell will be insulated with either formed in-place
foam or prefabricated shapes. No special construction techniques will be
required.
Page 14
5.2.3 Construction of the Jetty
The jetty will be approximately 500m long. Several construction options have
been reviewed with the most favoured being a - piled trestle jetty similar to
the existing product (LNG and condensate) loading jetty. Preliminary design
indicates approximately 12 spans and 60 piles will be required. An advantage
of this open structure is that it allows unrestricted flow of water along the
coast compared to a back-filled earth and rock jetty.
Piles of about 0.5m diameter will be driven into drilled pilot holes. No
blasting will be required.
5.3 WORKFORCE
5.4 SERVICES
it is anticipated that the need for additional usage of water from the
existing public supply will be minimal.
5.4.3 Electricity
5.4.4 Effluent
The area of new pavement from which stormwater could flow will be very small
and any rainwater runoff that could contain hydrocarbons will be
appropriately treated prior to discharge to Mermaid Sound.
Page 15
5.5 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
The proposed LPG facility will not require the installation of any new
electrical power generation facilities. There will however be an increased
load on the existing electricity generation facilities. This increased load
represents a 1% increase on the present total plant power demand.
Consequently, there will be an incremental increase of approximately 1% in
the generation of greenhouse gas emissions.
Currently a 500m exclusion zone exists around the LNG jetty, and a similar
exclusion zone will be required around the new jetty.
Page 16
N
MERMAID
SOUND
CD Withnell Bay
- Boat
Protected Area Launching
500m from Loading Jetty \ Area
'S
S.
Woodside //
Visitors Centre / / 4'
No Name Bay - ____ - ____ -
,
TREATMENT PLANT BUFFER ZONE LEASE /
93ha -
BURRUP
PENINSULA
500m
Figure 6
6.1 INTRODUCTION
Once a system has been analysed, if the risks are assessed to be too high
according to some criteria, the system can be modified in various ways to
attempt to reduce the risks to a more tolerable level, and the risk levels
recalculated. The process may therefore be viewed as iterative, where the
design of the system may be changed until it complies with the needs of
society. By objectively quantifying the risks from each part of the system,
QRA enables the most effective measures to reduce risks to be identified.
In its overall scheme, the methodology used follows the 'classical' form of
quantitative risk analysis and involves the following steps:
risk assessment: the risks calculated are compared with the EPA risk
criteria. If required, measures which reduce the risks are developed
at this stage.
The details of the QRA are presented in Appendix III and summarised below.
Page 17
6.2 RISK STANDARDS AND CRITERIA
The EPA uses the following criteria for the assessment of the risk of
statistical fatality outside the plant boundary of a new industrial
installation:
As can be seen the criteria apply not only to the risk arising from the
proposed new LPG facility but also to the cumulative risk arising from the
LPG and the existing facilities. The EPA states that "no extra risk would be
acceptable where the cumulative risk of existing industry, combined with
assessed risk of the proposed new industry, exceed the risk levels proposed
for new industry". Hence, when building a new facility it is necessary to
show that all industry (new and old) in the area meets the new industry
criteria. The Onshore Gas Treatment Plant currently in operation is the
existing facility to consider when looking at cumulative risk.
Assess and quantify the offsite levels of fatality risk due to the
plant and its operation, presenting imposed iso-risk levels for
fatality (risk contours) for the criteria set by the EPA;
Page 18
assess the cumulative risk for any major industry in the area (ie
the proposed LPG facilities and existing Onshore Gas Treatment
Plant);
The results of the analysis are presented in Appendix III as risk Contours.
Onsite risk incidents that do not impact beyond the plant boundaries have not
been included as these incidents cannot impact upon the public under normal
circumstances.
Only two of the criteria Contours extend from the main Treatment Plant Lease
into the Buffer Lease (see Figure 7). The first, the one half in a million
per year (5x10 7) risk Contour, is the EPA's criterion for the maximum
tolerable level of risk for 'sensitive developments' such as hospitals,
schools, child care facilities and aged care housing developments. The
second, the one in a million per year (lx10 6) risk contour, is the
EPA's criterion for the maximum tolerable level of risk for residential
zones. There are no residences, areas zoned for residential use nor
'sensitive developments' in the vicinity on the site and none falls within
the risk contours. The closest residential area is Dampier which is 10km
away.
The EPA's criterion for industrial activities is such that the risk at the
site boundary should not exceed fifty in a million per year (5x10 5).
This requirement is met at Woodside's site. For non-industrial use areas
between industry and residential zones the EPA's criterion is that the risk
should not exceed ten in a million per year (1x10 5). Again this
requirement is met by Woodside's site.
The main conclusions of the study as they relate to the CER are:
the offsite risk from the proposed new LPG extraction facilities is
small compared with that of the existing facilities. It contributes
about 17% of the total risk, from the LPG and Onshore Gas Treatment
Plant facilities, at the Visitors' Centre (the nearest public
access);
Page 19
IX -,'
MERMAID
'•'
SOUND
\ N
4. N \c••
N4 CD
'?9 N
N •:
S .'..
N
I /K Withnell Bay
Boat
Launctiing
Area
Protected Area
, 500m from Loading Jetty/( ,. *
Propos
- z -
1 in a Million
V
per year (5x10)
Vise
BaY /
n a Million
year (5x10 5 )
100 in a Million
50 in a Million
J per year (5x10) I
per year (5x10 5 )
Port
Authority
Jetty
/1 N
BURRUP
PENINSULA
Supply
Base 500m
Figure 7
the risk levels at the boat launching area in Withnell Bay are too
low to be of any concern, below 1/2 in a million per year; and
Page 20
7. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
AND THEIR MANAGEMENT
Page 21
7.1.2 Operation Phase
Increases in the amount of flue gas released from the on-site power
plant.
Generation and disposal of aqueous effluent and solid waste from the
process.
The area that is proposed for the installation of the LPG storage
tanks contains a small quantity of rock which must be removed. In
addition, small amounts of soil will be removed while routing piping
under the site roads. All surplus fill removed from this area will
go to an area of No Name Creek which Woodside currently uses for
storage of fill material.
Page 22
debris that is not suitable for recycle and these will be disposed
of in accordance with existing procedures. Woodside has always
committed to consult with the local Roebourne Shire authorities and
follow their guidelines in the disposal of all waste.
Release of Gases from the 'Formed-in-Place' Insulation used on the Storage Tanks
(see Commitment 8.1.2)
The Gas Treatment Plant uses a packaged sewage plant for the
treatment of sanitary wastes generated by the permanent work forcc.
The increased Site population during the construction phase of the
project could overload the capacity of this unit. Woodside will
therefore contract with a local supplier of portable sanitation
units for use by the construction work force.
Page 23
The disposal plan is envisaged to be similar to the plan
successfully executed during the hydrostatic testing of the LNG
tanks constructed during 'Phase III'.
Disposal of Dredge Spoil generated during the Construction of the Ship Jetty
(see Commitments 8.1.1, 8.1.4, 8.1.5)
Page 24
Disturbance of Corals and other Biotic Assemblages in the Immediate Vicinity
of the Jetty Construction (see Commitments 8.2.1, 8.3.1, 8.3.3)
Page 25
Disturbance of Aboriginal Sites (see Commitment 8.2.2)
Page 26
Increases in the Amount of Flue Gas released from the On-Site Power Plant
The seabed in the immediate vicinity of the proposed LPG jetty has
been thoroughly studied"13'14'15 and various jetty construct-
ion options have been reviewed. The most favoured option is a piled
trestle jetty similar to the existing LNG loading jetty. This design
would mean the minimum disturbance to the local environment during
installation and allow continued free near shore water flow.
Increased Sound Pressure Levels on the Plant Site (see Commitment 8.3.2)
Page 27
Increased Risk of Hydrocarbon Release due to an increase in Plant and infra-
structure (see Commitment 3.3.4)
Generation and Disposal of Aqueous Effluents and Solid Wastes from the Process
Page 28
8. COMMITMENTS
The following commitments are made by Woodside with respect to this project:
8.1 PRECONSTRUCTIoN
8.1.2 Specify insulating materials that do not use CFCs as the foaming
agent.
8.1.3 Develop a plan in consultation with the EPA for treatment (if
required) and disposal of the hydrostatic test water.
8.2.2 Exercise due care in planning the Site layout and during
construction to preserve the archaeological sites in the development
area and to consult with the Western Australian Museum and
appropriate Aboriginal custodians should site disturbance be
required or new sites identified.
8.2.4 Consult with the local authorities and follow local guidelines in
the landfill disposal of inert construction waste.
8.2.5 Consult with local authorities and follow local guidelines in the
disposal of insulating waste.
8.2.6 Work with its suppliers and subcontractors to minimise the quantity
of waste and assure that the wastes generated are disposed of in an
environmentally friendly manner.
Page 29
8.2.7 Upon acceptance of the hydrostatic test water disposal plan,
Woodside will seek authorjsation from EPA for the discharge of these
waters.
8.2.8 Work with its subcontractors to assure that spent pickle liquor is
either recycled or disposed of in an environmentally friendly
manner. This will be conducted to the satisfaction of the EPA.
8.3.1 Results of the CHEMMS programme will be forwarded for review to EPA
in accordance with existing reporting procedures.
8.3.2 Operate the new equipment using established practices and procedures
including those for environmental management and safety to the
satisfaction of the Department of Minerals and Energy and the EPA.
8.3.5 The exclusion zone around the existing LNG jetty is 500m and the new
LPG jetty will have a similar exclusion zone.
Page 30
9. REFERENCES
Page 31
Marine Environmental of Dampier Archipelago
Meagher & LeProvost 1979
EPA File Reference No 662.69 Woo
Page 32
Maintenance Dredging 1989, Mermaid Sound, Western Australia. State
Environmental Monitoring Programme
LeProvost Semeniuk & Chalmer, March 1990
Page 33
APPENDIX I
CONSULTATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL
REVIEW GUIDELINES
GUIDELINES FOR THE CONSULTATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
for
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) EXTRACTION PROJECT
within the
EXISTING ONSHORE TREATMENT PLANT LEASE ON THE BURRUP
PENINSULA
by
WOODSIDE OFFSHORE PETROLEUM PTY LTD
OVERVIEW
In Western Australia all environmental reviews are about protecting the environment. The
fundamental requirement is for the proponent to describe what it proposes to do, to discuss the
potential environmental impacts of the proposal, and then to describe how those environmental
impacts are going to be managed so that the environment is protected.
If the proponent can demonstrate that the environment will be protected then the proposal will be
found environmentally acceptable. If the proponent cannot show that the environment would be
protected, then the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) will recommend against the
proposal.
Throughout the process it is the aim of the EPA to advise and assist the proponent to improve or
modify the proposal in such a way that the environment is protected. Nonetheless, the
environmental review in Western Australia is proponent driven, and it is up to the proponent to
identify the potential environmental impacts and design and implement proposals which protect
the environment.
The main environmental impact for this proposal is the level of risk imposed on the surrounding
land uses.
The Consultative Environmental Review (CER) should facilitate public review of the key
environmental issues. These guidelines identify issues that should be addressed within the CER.
The CER is intended to be a brief document: its purpose should be explained, and the contents
should be concise and accurate as well as being readily understood. The risk assessment should
be a separate appendix to the CER.
to place this project in the context of the regional environment and the progressive
development of resources in the region, including any cumulative impact of this development:
to explain the issues and decisions which led to the choice of this project at this place at this
time;
to set out the environmental impacts that the project may have; and
for each impact, to describe any environmental management steps the proponent believes
would avoid, mitigate or ameliorate that impact.
The primary function of a CER is to provide the basis for the EPA to advise the Government on
protecting the environment. An additional function is to communicate clearly with the public so
that EPA can obtain informed public comment.
The CER should focus on the major issues for the area and anticipate the questions that members
of the public will raise. Data describing the environment should be directly related to the
discussion of the potential impacts of the proposal and should then relate directly to the actions
proposed to manage those impacts.
Where specific information has been requested by a Government Department or the Local
Authority, this should be included in the document.
Guidelines on the format and content of the report given below are for guidance to the proponent.
The responsibility for the identification of all environmental impacts rests primarily with the
proponent as is the responsibility to demonstrate how the impacts will be managed so that the
environment is protected. Changes to the format which will enhance the proponent's ability to
demonstrate that the environment will be protected are acceptable.
SUMMARY
2. INTRODUCTION
The CER should set out the reasons for developing this proposal at this place and time.
including evaluation of alternative locations.
4. PROPOSED LOCATIONS
For all components of the proposal, proposed locations are to be described, including:
cadastral information;
adjacent land uses detailing existing land uses together with actual and future planned
land uses, including the Pilbara 21 Study land use proposal;
location of structures to be built on the sites;
location of proposed jetty and pipeline routes for the export of LPG;
a description of the Aboriginal heritage of the project areas; and
a description of any significant biological attributes of the project areas.
PROCESS DESCRIPTION
There should be a clear description of the project. Diagrams should be used where
appropriate. A process flowsheet for the operation should be included.
This section should describe the overall effect on the environment by the proposal. Impacts
should be quantified where possible, and criteria for making assessments of their
significance should be discussed.
- risk assessment conducted in accordance with the EPAs Bulletin 611 and
the EPA's "Guidelines for a Preliminary Risk Analysis".
air emissions:
extent of buffer zones and methods for conu-ol of land uses within the buffer zones to
prevent incompatible land uses occurring in the future.
7. CONCLUSION
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
GUIDELINES
REFERENCES
COMMITMENTS
Where an environmental problem has the potential to occur the proponent should cover this
potential problem with a commitment to rectify it. Where appropriate, the commitment should
include:
GLOSSARY
A glossary should be provided in which all technical terms, and unfamiliar abbreviations and
units of measurement are explained in everyday language.
The CER should include instructions to the public how it can make a submission. These
instructions should be at the beginning of the document.
General:
The PRA will be an integral part of the decision making process used by the EPA to
determine the suitability of a proposal. Proposals for which a PRA may be required
include those which involve the manufacture, storage or transport of dangerous goods,
rezoning of land which may result in the exposure of more people to higher risks or for
any other proposal which may increase the risk to an individual.
The amount of detail required by the EPA for a particular proposal will vary with the
nature and complexity of the proposal. For a proposal for a small factory handling a
highly toxic chemical may require a more detailed PRA than a large development in
which materials of low hazard are to be handled. The proponent and the appointed risk
consultant should discuss and agree on the details of the PRA to be completed with the
EPA and its advisers both before and during the preparation of the PRA.
The analysis must be transparent to the extent that the EPA and its advisers can both
judge the adequacy of the analysis and are also in a position to be able to audit the
analysis. This will often require the provision of commercially sensitive information,
and arrangements will be made to ensure the confidentiality of that information is
maintained. The proponent, and risk consultants, should be aware that the PRA is a
legally binding document. Should Government approval be given for a proposal to
proceed, the "as-built" plant, operation or development, must achieve essentially the
same or lower levels of risk than presented in the PRA. The risk analyst must be
independent of the proponent and have demonstrated experience with the type of plant
being proposed. The analyst must demonstrate this autonomy and capability to the
satisfaction of the EPA prior to accepting the commission. The consultant must include a
formal certification of the accuracy and veracity of work completed in the PRA.
All PRA's submitted to the EPA must as a minimum have the following contents in the
order specified below. This will simplify the review of submissions and result in faster
review times.
PRELIMINARY RISK ASSESSMENT
1. SUMMARY
The document must contain a clear and concise summary of the PRA, and include a
statement on whether the results of the analysis comply with the EPA risk criteria or, if
relevant, other criteria.
2. INTRODUCTION
Background.
3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
- Map of the location of the proposed site, detailing existing, actual and future
planned land use of the site and surrounding area as defined by the District
Town Planning Scheme of a Local Authority and or the Metropolitan Regions
Scheme
- Proposed route of services to the site (including electricity lines, fuel pipelines
and process liquid and gas pipelines). The extent of service supply route
information should be commensurate with the development stage of the
proposal. However the EPA consider that preliminary discussions with the
supply Authority and necessary easements should have been determined in
principle prior to submission to the EPA.
- Review and report on the safety standards incorporated into the conceptual
engineering design.
(iv) Any other factors or concerns of the consultant that are in the potential impact zone
of the proposed development shall be considered in the risk analysis and included
in the report.
4. HAZARD ASSESSMENT
The techniques of a hazard assessment differ in detail from one proposal to another,
however, the following approach must always be followed:
- Hazard identification (of a complete set of failure cases which could cause
death);
- Consequence analysis (to determine the area which may result in death due to
over pressure, radiation exposure or toxic gas exposure as a consequence of a
failure);
- Frequency analysis (to estimate the probability of each failure case); and
In the presentation of the hazard analysis the following information should be detailed in
either the body of the report or as appendices:
Hazard identification
Details shall be provided of the methods used for grouping of failure cases.
Domino effects must be be considered.
By the end of this section potential sources of release shall be identified. itemised
(and if appropriate grouped) and summarised.
Consequence analysis
-3.
Where the consequence analysis involves gas dispersion modelling, details
are required on topography and meteorology (wind speed and direction,
atmospheric stability, surface roughness length and any other parameter
relevant to risk analysis). If the wind speed-direction-stability information
used has been condensed from more detailed information, the method of
reduction should be described and justified in an Appendix; and
Frequency analysis
- If the PRA incorporates the use of safety devices the failure rate per demand
must be included in the analysis; and
- Individual risk contours should be presented for the following risk values
10' 10' 10-6' 10-7 and 10-8 deaths per person per year; and
An error analysis should be included in the Appendix indicating the accuracy or range of all of
the input variables and models used, including, failure frequency data, impact or toxicity data,
consequence models and fmaliy confidence limits on the risk contours.
5. RISK ANALYSIS
Incorporation of the risk levels from this proposal into any cumulative risk analysis
for the area is required. This applies particularly to the Kwinana Industrial Area,
the Kemerton Industrial Park, and North Fremantle. The state government has
historically in some cases assisted in this matter.
Report the results of the risk values determined in the hazard assessment and
compare them to the EPA guidelines on risk criteria or other relevant criteria.
Regardless of whether there is compliance with the EPA or other risk criteria
discuss how the incidents contributing most to risk, or having the most serious
consequences, may be controlled. Relevant factors to consider may include the
installation of safety devices, alternative methods and volumes of storage, modified
layout, specific recommendations on aspects to be incorporated in emergency
planning, etc. Any risk reduction measure which was incorporated as part of the
analysis shall be fully documented.
6. CONCLUSIONS
Summary of results of risk analysis and conclusions as to site acceptability with special
mention of any recommendations and assumptions which influence acceptability.
10/07/9 1
March, 1993
ENV - 0220
REPORT ON AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
AT LNG PLANT,
BURRUP PENINSULA
March, 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
tO INTRODUCTION
2.0 METHODS
3.0 RESULTS 10
4.0 CONCLUSIONS
4.1 Discussion 13
4.2 Recommendations 14
5.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY 15
6.0 APPENDICES
Bun-up Peninsula lies 1650 kms north of Perth on the northwest coast in the
Pilbara region. The survey area lies on the western side of the Peninsula within
the LNG plant lease of WOP between Withnell and No Name Bays. (Fig. 1) In
WAM's Dampier Salvage Programme, the area is referred to as the coastal,
coastal plain and near coastal uplands of Tartaruga. The survey area consists of
some 30 hectares bounded by the coastline running from the jetty to the
northernmost point of Skinny Dip Beach, Road 65 and Road 1. (Fig. 2)
Ken&ew
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aay 0
Island 0'
MaJus Islands
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MERMAID SOUND
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Climate
Situated in an arid-tropical semi-desert region, the climate of Burrup Peninsula
is characterised by a tropical cyclonic system of rainfall in summer and a
southern rainfall system in winter. Winter is moderately warm with average
temperatures of 23° while summer is hot with average temperatures of 31°. As
a result of low rainfall per annum averaging 350 mm and rapid run-off due to
impermeable rock and shallow soil, there is a deficit of water on the Peninsula
Thus rockholes and freshwater soaks provide the most reliable but ephemeral
water source for humans and animals (WPD 1979, Vinnicombe 1987).
Geoloi
The rugged rocky terrain of Burrup Peninsula consists of Proterozoic igneous
bedrock The numerous boulder outcrops, the signature of the Burrup, have
been formed as result of erosion of overlying sediment, exposing the igneous
rock to intense fracturing and weathering. Granophyre outcrops tend to occur
on the western side of the Peninsula while dolerite, diorite, greenstone and
gabbro occur on the the eastern side (WPD 1979). While the coastline is
characterised by rock platforms and storm boulder beaches interspersed with
sandy embayments in protected areas, the hinterland exhibits steep-sided
valleys and ephemeral watercourses which culminate at sand dunes and
mudflats. Rockpools frequently occur at the watersheds of deep valley systems.
(WPD 1979, Green 1982).
Vegetation
Located in the Fortescue Botanical District and classed as Eremaean, Burrup
Peninsula contains vegetation from both Southwestern and Northern
Kimberley Provinces (Beard 1975, WPD 1979). Generally the vegetation can be
considered predominantly Hussock Grasslands mixed with Tall Open
Shrublands; however the area supports a diversity of micro-habitats (WPD
1979). In coastal areas calcareous beach sands, interspersed with sand and
mudflats, support succulent low shrubland communities, including seven
species of mangals, while the shallow siliceous sands of the coastal plain
support tussock and hummock grass steppe. Within the inland valleys sits
taller vegetation such as Coolibah, Kurrajong and native fig trees while inland
plains support trees, shrub steppes, acacias and spinifex (WPD 1979, Green 1982,
Beard 1975).
Land Integrity
The survey area, LNG lease or Tartaruga, has been used extensively for
infrastructure and plant works associated with the collection and processing of
gas. While the majority of the survey area bounded by access roads has been
bulldozed, flattened or severely altered, there nevertheless remains a few small
pockets of natural rock outcrops. On the coastal side of the perimeter road, the
3
A total of 720 Aboriginal sites were located in the survey area Of these, 113 sites
were found in Tartaruga of which the majority, 89, were engraving sites.
Overall, engraving sites were the most numerous sites recorded numbering 544
separate sites. Apart from engravings, other cultural features found in
descending order of frequency were occupation sites displaying flaked stone or
shells, stone features such as standing stones, walls or pits, grinding grooves
and rockshelters. Many of the sites contained more than one cultural
component. Vinnicombe (1987) concludes that a locational analysis
demonstrates that site distribution patterns are determined by accessibility to
food and water resources.
Of the total area surveyed, the majority of engravings, open artefact sites,
grinding patches and stone features are located on the inland plain.
Vinnicombe (1987) feels that the inland plain occupies a transition between the
two principal ecotones, coastal and inland, and thus the high number of
habitation camps located in the inland plain, are best situated to exploit all
resourtes from each zone.
While the density of sites is particularly high, i.e. 34 per km sq, Vinnicombe
(1987) stresses that excepting for some middens, habitation sites suggested
transient occupation. As is the case throughout Western Australia, the major
habitation sites are located near seasonal water sources. Thus the scenario
suggested by the evidence is of Aboriginal people moving throughout the
landscape in all ecological zones in search of food and raw material.
Furthermore, the comprehensive gallely of engravings, depicting a variety of
themes and styles, serve to reflect on a complex religious system that was
incorporated in the Aborinal peoples' daily lives.
Thirty-two radiocarbon dates taken from excavations and auger samples give a
range of Aboriginal habitation from 7,000 B.P. years to 100 B.P. years. This span
coincides with the last sea level rise around 6.000-7,000 years ago (Vinnicombe
1987). Archaeological sites recorded at Burrup Peninsula are consistent with the
types of sites documented in the wider Pilbara region.
The earhest dated occupation from the Pilbara region is in excess of 20,000 years
BP. The evidence was retrieved from two rockshelter deposits near Newman
(Maynard 1980, Troilett 1982) and one at Pannawonica (Hughes &
Quartermaine 1992). In Carnarvon region a rockshelter at North-West Cape
(Morse 1988) and a stratified open site at Shark Bay (Bowdler 1990a, 1990b) have
recently recovered evidence for occupation dated 34,000 years BP and 25,000
years BP respectively. Other dates obtained from the region are more recent and
have provided a temporal marker for specific tool types. These indude a date of
2,500 years BP from a trapezoidal microlith (Brown & Mulvaney 1983), 3,800
years BP for a gum backed elouera (Troilett 1982) and 3,600 years BP from a
midden dating microliths in association with shellfish (Lorblanchet 1977).
Prehistoric stone tool industries in the South-West have been classified into
eaiiy and late phases. (Dortch 1977). The early phase industries have only been
documented from a few well-dated sites. They include small thick flake
scrapers, bipolar cores, notched dentio.ilated pieces, flakes from discoidal cores,
and single and multi-platform cores. These artefacts have been manufactured
from a variety of lithic materials.
Later phase stone industries, generally found in archaeological contexts dating
from 4,000 years ago, include the addition of geometric microliths, backed
blades, and a variety of adze flakes, which are part of the Australian "small tool
tradition" (Dortch 1977, Mulvaney 1975). However, within the Dampier
Salvage Programme, the small tool tradition was little evident in artefact
assemblages collected (Vinnicombe 1987, Veth 1982). This serves to support the
transient nature reflected at occupation sites.
7
211 MIffHOL
Firstly, a general reconnaissance was undertaken over the total area in a slow
moving vehicle with the vehicle stopping at each vantage point or cleared area.
Secondly, within the area bounded by sealed roads where industrial
development was intense, an opportunistic sampling strategy was
implemented. This involved purposive meandering over small plots of
partially disturbed land in between the industrial plant structures. Outside the
boundary fence on the coastline, purposive meandering strategies were again
employed over the rocky outcrops. WAM 1:2,000 archaeological site plans
assisted the purposive meandering strategies.
Visibility was high throughout as, within the disturbed industrial plant area,
there was little to no vegetation and on the coastline there was only a narrow
stretch of spinifex between the cyclone fence and the rock strewn coast as the
majority of previously recorded sites were engraving sites, the ground visibility
factor played a minor role.
2.3 5Le Defirdkxm
Aboriginal material culture is based, to a large extent, on non-durable materials,
such as wood, bark, fibre and skins, that have a limited life in the archaeological
record. Stone tools, conversely, remain as often the only evidence of
prehistoric activity. Bone, either as a tool, as refuse, or as a burial falls
somewhere between these extremes. Lofgren (1975) describes spears, spear-
throwers and clubs for men and digging sticks, wooden carrying dishes and
grindstones for women, as the basic implements of Aboriginal life. Therefore,
stone artefact sites reflect only one aspect of Aboriginal material culture which
utilised a wide range of materials from the natural environment.
For the purpose of this investigation, an archaeological site is defined as" any
place containing traces of past human activity" (Fagan 1980). This is manifested
in a number of different site components which may occur singularly or with
one or more of the others to form an archaeological site. The most common of
these are surface artefact scatters, quarries, art sites, stone arrangements,
rockshelters with evidence of occupation, grinding patches, shell middens,
burials and marked trees. An artefact scatter is recorded as a site if it contains
three or more artef acts in association. Areas of solitary artefacts, called Isolated
Finds, are reported but not recorded as Aboriginal sites.
•
The significance of an archaeological site is determined by its ability to address
regional and specific research questions and by its representativeness (Raab &
Klinger 1977). For example, unique sites are more significant than commonly
occurring sites, and sites with stratified deposits are more significant than
unstratified sites. Significance is a mutable quality, changing as more sites are
recorded, questions are answered or new directions in research arise.
In the major salvage programme of 1981 all archaeological sites in the survey
area were given an appropriate significance assessment. Thence, according to
the special requirements of Woodside's industrial programme and/or the
archaeological significance of the site (DAP 1984), each site was classified as
Preserved In Situ, Cleared or Partially Cleared
At a meeting dated 10/11th April, 1984 between Woodside and W.A.M. the
following definitions were agreed to in relation to the classification
terminology applied to the sites by WAM
Preserved in Situ (PIS] means that site/ complex is preserved in situ and
that formal application to disturb is required under the Aboriginal Heritage Act.
In most cases, these sites are behind protective fences erected by W.O.P.
hi WOPki4iCIV hc
Cleared and partially cleared means that WOP has met its obligations under the
Aboriginal Heritage Act. The site, if disturbed, has been done with WAM
approval. Part of the site or site complex may be extant and WOP will
endeavour not to disturb the site during the completion of construction. Any
disturbance will only be done after consultation with WAM. When the
temporary lease reverts to its previous vesting then that part of the site
remaining effective reverts to PIS and formal application must be made under
the Aboriginal Heritage Act before it can be disturbed.
QuEmdeaRWOPkases
Cleared means that the site has been surveyed, salvaged (if possible) and then
used as part of the early survey and construction access. All WOP obligations
under the Aboriginal Heritage Act have been met
Partially cleared means that approval to disturb part of the site was given (as
part of early access requirement) but that some of the site/ site complex is extant
The remaining portion is effectively Preserved in Situ to all parties and formal
application must be made under the Act for any future disturbance.
10
31) R1Ut1S
Thirteen archaeological sites have been previously recorded in the survey area.
(Fig. 3) Nine of these sites have an engraving component solely or in
association with other cultural features. A description of each site follows with
its present status according to DAS and Woodside files and reports (DAP 1984).
This site consists of 165 engravings, 4 grinding patches and I standing stone.
The features are located along a granophyre outcrop aligned NE-SW on the
coastline. The extent of the site is 130 m long x 40m wide. The engravings
exhibit a wide variety of forms and motifs. As a result of the sit&s proximity to
the sea some of the engravings are somewhat weathered. All features have
been fully recorded and photographed.
Vinnicombe (1987:10) advises that the boundaries of the LNG plant were
adapted to avoid this significant site. The site is well protected by a cyclone
fence in front of which are numerous pipelines. Access is gained through a
padlocked gate.
This site contains 65 engravings and one grinding patch. It is located along a
granophyre outcrop along the coastline. The outcrop is aligned NE-SW and
measures 300m long x 90m wide. The engravings, being similarly located as
those at P1561, are somewhat weathered. Three boulders have been salvaged
from the site. A jetty now juts out from the site's southern boundary. As with
P1561, the same cyclone fence protects this site from intrusion. All engravings
have been fully recorded and photographed
II
AV
Scale 1 4000
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Map Ref 12,000 Sheet No.26.04 Grid 476 100 7 723 150
This site consists of eight engravings located on three small outcrops situated
along the coastal dune. The outcrop measures 80m x 100m. The engravings
were photographed and recorded and two boulders were salvaged. The site has
been deregistered and destroyed from roadwork construction.
Map Ref 12,000 Sheet No.2503 Grid 475 790 7 722 900
This site consists of nine engravings, four stone pits and two standing stones.
The site measures 10m x 60m. All features were photographed and recorded.
The site has been deregistered and destroyed from construction works.
This site contains a small open scatter of stone artefacts and Terebralia and
Melo shells. It was located on a claypan and measured 10m x 10m. The 20
stone artefacts were mostly primary flakes made from porphyritic granophyre.
No collection was made as the site was considered of average significance;
however the site was photographed and surveyed. A major access road now
runs across the site
This site contains one grinding patch measuring 44cm x 30cm on a cracked and
fissured rock The site has been surveyed and photographed. The area has
been bulldozed and levelled
r( 6 Jtr Qcamd
Map Ref 12,000 Sheet No. 26.04 Grid 4763907723 180
This site contains one engraving measuring Im x 1m. It has been surveyed and
photographed. The site was considered of average significance and has been
deregistered. The site has been destroyed by Road 1 which now cuts through
the site.
12
!23'4 7 Rah c1
Map Ref 12,000 Sheet No. 26.03 Grid 476 390 7 722 940
This site contains one stone pit measuring 2m x 2m located on a scree slope. It
has been surveyed and photographed The site was deregistered and has been
destroyed by industrial works.
Fk 8 9ic (red
Map Ref. 12,000 Sheet No. 26.03 Grid 476 300 7 722 780
This site contains one engraving of incised lines measuring 2m x 2m. It has
been surveyed and photographed. The site was deregistered and has been
destroyed by industrial wo&s.
This site contains one engraving of a stick woman measuring 2m x 2m. It has
been surveyed and photographed. The site was deregistered and has been
destroyed by bulldozing and levelling.
PJ 10 9thr (]ied
Map Ref 12,000 Sheet No. 2604 Grid 476 2707 723 090
This site contains one engraving of an emu, meandering line and tracks within
a cluster. The engraving measures 2m x 2m. It has been surveyed and
photographed The site was deregistered and has been destroyed by earthworks.
y137 ii SL4r- OJ
Map Ref 12,000 Sheet No.2603 Grid 476 100 7 722 790
This site contains four engravings depicting a stick man, human face, pecks and
an human footprint. The engravings measures 20m x 20m. It has been
surveyed, photographed and two boulders were salvaged. The site was
deregistered and has been destroyed by earthworks.
13
40 WNQUSIONS
41 Dboussim
An archaeological site identification and avoidance investigation was
commissioned by Woodside Offshore Petroleum Pty Ltd at the Onshore
Treatment Plant Lease on Burrup Peninsula. The purpose of this study was to
facilitate an investigation into locating a proposed Liquid Petroleum Gas
Extraction Project as an extension of the existing Liquid Natural Gas Plant.
The survey area lies on the western side of the Peninsula within the LNG plant
lease of WOP between Withnell and No Name Bays in an area referred to as the
coastal, coastal plain and near coastal uplands of Tartaruga. The area consists of
some 30 hectares bounded by the coastline from the jetty to the northernmost
point of Skinny Dip Beach, Road 65 and Road 1.
The project area has been used extensively for infrastructure and plant
associated with the collection and processing of gas. While the majority of the
survey area bounded by access roads has been bulldozed, flattened and severely
altered, there nevertheless remains a few small pockets of natural rock
outcrops. On the coastal side of the perimeter road, the landscape displays
numerous pipelines, buildings, and piles of rock debris. Adjacent to these
works is a high security fence protecting the immediate rocky coastline.
Thirteen archaeological sites have been previously recorded in the survey area.
Nine of these sites have an engraving component solely or in association with
other cultural features such as open scatters, stone features and grinding
patches.
,
The recommendations which follow are based on field observations and
research from previously recorded sites in the survey area and region. They are
also based on the assumption that the term 'Permanent Lease "applies to the
LNG plant area and immediate coastline which is held under lease until 2025
but is renewable after that date.
Because Sites P1562, P2324, P2325, P2323.6, P2323.7, P2323.8, P2323.9, P2323.10,
and P2323.11 have been cleared, destroyed and deregistered and Sites P2569 and
P2571 have been cleared and destroyed, it is recommended that no further
archaeological work is necessary and that development may plDceed in these
areas.
Should Woodside find it necessary within the planning stage to disturb any
of the two remaining archaeological sites, P1561 and P1 601, it is recommended
that consultation take place with the appropriate Aboriginal custodians.
Beard J.S. 1975 Vegetation Surveys of Western Australia. U.W.A. Press. Perth.
Bowdier, S. 1990b. The Silver Dollar site, Shark Bay: an interim report,
Australian Aboriginal Studies 2,60-63.
Brown S.H. & Mulvaney KJ. 1983 Test pit excavations Aboriginal Sites P4527,
P4523, and P5315 Perth-Darn National Highway, Newman-Port
Hedland Section. Report to MRD, Perth.
Dortch C.E. 1977 Early and late stone industrial phases in Western Australia in
Wright R.V.S. (ed) Stone Tools as Cultural Markers A.I.A.S.
Canberra 104-132
Fagan B. 1980 People of the Earth Little Brown and Company. Boston.
Green, N. 1982 They draw rude figures on stone: engravings at King Bay.
Unpublished M.A. thesis. Dept of Anthropology and Prehistoiy,
AN.U. Canberra
Raab LM. & Klinger T.C. 1977 A critical appraisal of "significance" in contract
archaeology. American Antiquity 42: 629-634
Troilett G. 1982 Report on Ethel Gorge Salvage Report. WA. Museum Report
Veth, P.1982. testing the behavioural model: the use of open site data
Unpublished BA Hons thesis. Dept of Anthropology, U.WA Perth.
Virili, E. 1977. Aboriginal sites and rock art of the Dampier Archipelago, in P.J.
Ucko (ed) Form in Indigenous Art: schematisation in the art of
Aboriginal and Prehistoric Europe. AlAS. Canbeffa.
"Report of Findings
15. Any person who has knowledge of the existence of anything in the nature
of Aboriginal burial grounds, symbols or objects of sacred, ritual or ceremonial
significance, cave or rock paintings or engravings, stone structures or arranged
stones, carved trees, or of any place or thing to which this Act applied or to
which this Act might reasonably be suspected to apply shall report its existence
to the Trustees, or to a police officer, unless he has reasonable cause to believe
the existence of the thing or place in question to be already known to the
Trustees.
Habitation Sites
These are commonly found throughout Western Australia and usually contain
evidence of tool-making seed grinding and other food processing cooking
painting engraving or numerous other activities. The archaeological evidence
for some of these activities is discussed in detail under the appropnate heading.
Habitation sites are usually found near an existing or former water source such
as gnamma hole; rock pool, spring or soak They are generally in the open, but
they sometimes occur in shallow rock shelters or caves. It is particulady
important that none of these sites be disturbed as the stratified deposits which
may be found at such sites can yield valuable information about the inhabitants
when excavated by archaeologists.
Seed Grinding
Polished or smoothed areas are sometimes observed on/near horizontal rock
surfaces. The smooth areas are usually 25cm wide and 40 or 50cm long. They
are the result of seed grinding by the Aboriginal women and indicate aspects of
a past economy.
Habitation Structures
Aboriginal people sheltered in simple ephemeral structures, generally
made of branches and sometimes grass. These sites are rarely preserved for
more than one occupation period. Occasionally iocks were pushed aside or
were used to stabilise other building materials. When these rock patterns are
located they provide evidence of former habitation sites.
Middens
When a localised source of shellfish and other foods have been exploited from
a favoured camping place, the accumulated ashes, hearth stones, shells, bones
and other refuse can form mounds at times several metres high and many
metres in diameter. Occasionally these refuse mounds or middens contain
stone, shell or bone tools. These are most common near the coast but examples
on inland lakes and river banks are not unknown.
Quarries
When outcrops of rock suitable for the manufacture of stone tools were
quarried by the Aborigines, evidence of the flaking and chipping of the source
material can usually be seen in situ and nearby. Ochre and other mineral
pigments used in painting rock surfaces, artefacts and body decoration are
mined from naturally occunng seams, bands and other deposits. This activity
can sometimes be recognised by the presence of wooden digging sticks or the
marks made by these implements.
Marked Trees
Occasionally trees are located that have designs in the bark which have been
incised by Aborigines. Toeholds, to assist the climber, were sometimes cut into
the bark and sapwood of trees in the hollow limbs of which possums and other
athorial animals sheltered Some tree trunks bear scars where sections of bark
or wood have been removed to make dishes, shields, spearthrowers and other
wooden artefacts. In some parts of the state wooden platforms were built in
trees to accomodate a coipse during complex rituals following death.
Burials
In the north of the state it was formeily the custom to place the bones of the
dead on a ledge in a cave after certain rituals were completed. The
bones were wrapped in sheets of bark and the skull placed beside this. In otther
parts of Western Australia the dead were buried, the burial position vaiying
accoTthng to the customs of the particular area and time. Natural erosion, or
mechanical earthmoVing equipment occasionally exposes these burial sites.
Stone Structures
If one or more stones are found partially buried or wedged into a position
which is not likely to be the result of natural forces, then it is probable that the
place is an Abonginal site and that possibly there are other important sites
nearby. There are several different types of stone arrangements ranging from
simple cairns or piles of stones to more elaborate designs. Low weirs which
trap fish when tides fall are found in coastal areas. Some rivers contain similar
structures that trap fish against the current. It seems likely that low stone slab
structures in the south-west jarrah forests were built to provide suitable
environments in which to trap some small animals. Low walls or pits were
sometimes made to provide a hide or shelter for hunting.
Paintings
These usually occur in rockshelters, caves or other sheltered situations which
offer a certain degree of protection from the weather. The best known examples
in Western Australia occur in the Kimberley region but paintings are also
found throughout most of the State. Several coloured pigments may have
been used at a site. Stencilling was a common painting technique used
throughout the state. The negative image of an object was created by spraying
pigment over the object which was held against a walt
Engravings
This term describes designs which have been carved, pecked or pounded into a
rock surface. They form the predominant art form of the Pilbara region but are
known to occur in the Kimberleys in the north to Toodjay in the south. Most
engravings occur in the open but some are situated in rock shelters.
Caches
It was the custom to hide ceremonial objects in niches and other secluded
places. The removal of objects from these places, the taking of photographs of
the places or objects or any other interference with these places is not permitted.
Ceremonial Grounds
At some sites the ground has been modified in some way by the removal of
surface pebbles, or the modeling of the soil, or the digging of pits and trenches.
In other places there is no noticeable alteration of the ground surface and
Aborigines familiar with the site must be consulted concerning its location.
Mythological Sites
Most sites already described have a place in Aboriginal mythology. In addition
there are many Aboriginal sites with no man-made features which enable them
to be recognised They are often natural features in the landscape linked to the
Aboriginal account of the formation of the world during the creative
"Dreaming" period in the distant past. Many such sites are located at focal
points in the creative journeys of mythological spirit beings of the Dreaming
Such sites can only be identified by the Aboriginal people who are familiar with
the associated traditions.
(?3
APPENDIX III
PROTECTIG
DEPARTMENT OF ENVRONM
WESTRAI ic;iAR
141 ST. GEOR(P fLi!U:, PERTH