Protecting the marine environment
The community has identified that protecting the Cockburn Sound marine environment, as well as the terrestrial environment, are the most important issues to them across the Westport Program.
Sustainability will be a hallmark of Westport. Our investment in understanding the environment we operate in will drive a sustainable design, ensure a robust environmental impact assessment process, but also leave a legacy of a better managed Cockburn Sound for all.
A science-based approach
As Westport is considering the entire supply chain for the new port, work is underway to investigate, study and assess the freight network’s environmental and heritage impacts from the terminal in Kwinana, along the Thomas/Anketell corridor to Tonkin Highway.
The work will also identify and investigate opportunities to minimise impacts and create social benefit opportunities in Cockburn Sound, around the port and along the road/rail freight network.
These studies will inform the:
- Framework to inform decision-making as the port and freight network’s planning and design progresses
- Westport Mitigation Strategy, including proposed measures, offsets and resilience building initiatives to consider
- Westport Sustainability Strategy to help reach the goal of the most sustainable port in Australia
- Environmental Impact Assessments required for relevant approvals
Using a science-based approach, Westport is investing $14 million in the largest ever marine science program in Cockburn Sound to identify opportunities to improve its management for this generation, and generations to come.
This includes a significant partnership with the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI), to independently and transparently address knowledge gaps and trial restoration initiatives that will maintain ecosystem integrity into the future.