DER to review port users’ licences

Dust management regulations inside Port Hedland Port are set to be reviewed by the Government department which grants port users their operating licences.

The announcement comes after a recent health risk assessment found long-term exposure to higher concentrations of dust could be bad for the health of Hedland residents living near the industrial port.

A Department of Environment spokesman said the Government body would respond by reviewing the licence of each port user and potentially inserting stricter requirements to compel them to limit the escape of dust from their operations.

“Within six months, DER is aiming to review each of the licences for port premises in Port Hedland which DER regulates under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act),” he said.

“These premises are the ports at Utah Point, Eastern Operations, BHP, Roy Hill, FMG and Dampier Salt.”

“As part of this review, DER will undertake a ... review of the appropriateness of the controls applied by these ports.

“DER will also consider whether additional regulatory controls are required, and if so, specify any additional controls in the licence conditions.”

The DER’s review comes as West End community members have been increasingly vocal in their attacks of industry over the dust issue.

Pilbara MP Brendon Grylls last week claimed dust monitoring data in the health risk assessment had clearly shown industry users at the port were to blame for the bulk of the dust circulating in Hedland’s West End.

Port Hedland Industries Council president Cheryl Edwardes responded by saying port users had already implemented “best practice” dust management measures.

The DER spokesman said the Government body would look to also develop a broader sweep of guidelines for all ports.

“DER is developing dust management guidelines to regulate the dust practices for bulk handling at ports under the EP Act,” he said.

“The guidelines will inform the setting of appropriate dust conditions in licences, and these conditions will be monitored and enforced through the relevant instruments.”