Geraldton Port iron ore dust control: Disparity in environmental licences between ports raised in Parliament

Dust complaints at the Geraldton Port have dropped almost 70 per cent while questions have been raised in Parliament as to why it’s not held to the same iron ore dust mitigation requirements as Esperance Port. The Mid West Port Authority’s 2022-23 annual report states it received 13 complaints about dust contaminating the neighbouring Fishing Boat Harbour compared to 41 in 2021-22, a reduction of 68 per cent. Last week in Parliament, shadow ports minister Colin de Grussa questioned why there was a disparity in environmental licence conditions when exporting iron ore at the ports of Geraldton and Esperance. Mr de Grussa highlighted the pristine white beaches of Esperance as an example of the mining industry, the port and government working together with the community to achieve the best outcomes. “One only has to drive through the areas adjacent to both the ports of Esperance and Geraldton and their transport corridors to see that there is a stark difference between the two,” he said. “With the circumstances of the Geraldton and Esperance ports being strikingly similar in terms of their very close proximity to their respective communities and exposure to strong winds, I find it incredible that the same set of environmental licence conditions do not apply to both.” Mr de Grussa asked for an explanation as why the Geraldton Port wasn’t subject to the equivalent iron ore dust control methods as the Esperance community for the past two decades. Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson replied, stating MWPA used a number of dust suppression methods to prevent fugitive dust emissions, including the use of enclosed facilities for the storage and handling of iron ore. “Improving air quality has been an important focus for MWPA over the last two years and significant improvement has been realised,” he said. In its annual report, MWPA states it had invested $1.15 million in 2022-23 into projects to improve dust emissions and air quality, including wind modelling, installing a 90m DustTamer fence, as well as dust suppression fogging and a product moisture monitor at Berth 5 and partial enclosure of Berth 4’s truck unloader and installation of dust hoods. A dedicated dust management project manager was appointed last year. MWPA CEO Damian Tully said MWPA complies with its environmental licence conditions as issued by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), takes its air quality responsibility seriously and continues to invest in initiatives of improvement. “Each port in Western Australia holds an environmental licence issued by DWER. Each licence is very different, catering to the variety of products, environmental conditions, location, supply chain logistics and material handling systems at play,” he said. “MWPA works closely with each of the five iron ore exporters to ensure compliance with this licence through active, live monitoring of dust levels using approved air quality monitoring stations and visual means.” Previously the Geraldton Guardian had reported on concerns from users of the Fishing Boat Harbour, that iron ore dust was contaminating their vessels and buildings — costing them a lot to keep cleaning and repairing. The State Government were contacted for comment.