Public comment period open for construction of new berth at Albany’s port as part of Southdown Magnetite plans

The proposed construction of a new berth at Albany’s port to be used by Grange Resources’ future Southdown Magentite project has been opened for a seven-day comment period. The application from the Southern Ports Authority to construct Berth 5 as an “offshore piled structure with mooring dolphins” was referred to the Environment Protection Agency this week. It details how transhipment vessels will be loaded at Berth 5, proposed for construction at the south-eastern end of the port, then transfer their loads to ocean-going vessels at anchorages between Flinders Peninsula and Breaksea Island. Southern Ports has also applied to have the approved swing radius for the anchorages increased from the already approved 560m to 900m. Grange’s plans to establish a magnetite mining operation 10km south-west of Wellstead have been in the works for more than a decade. The project is expected to produce 5 million tonnes a year over a 28-year mine life, with the company aiming to start shipping from the Albany port in 2026. It is is expected it will create about 800 jobs during construction, and a workforce of about 350 will be required once the mine is operational. The EPA’s seven-day public comment period opened on Thursday, May 5, closing on May 11. To view details about the proposal and have your say, visit the EPA website.