Minimising the environmental footprint
A Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment to identify any environmental factors that may impact the alignment is complete.
As part of the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) assessment, we have completed vegetation, flora and fauna surveys. These help to determine what we can do to avoid or minimise environmental impacts.
Incorporating and managing cultural heritage
The final link is located within Yindjibarndi and Eastern Guruma country, with many areas of great significance to local Traditional Owners, including Hamersley Range, Fortescue River, Weelumurra Creek and Hamersley Homestead.
Working with Yindjibarndi and Wintawari Guruma representative groups, we are aiming for a positive and respectful relationship, by understanding cultural and social implications of the project.
Heritage surveys are being organised to identify cultural and heritage sites to inform the road alignment design to avoid or minimise impacts.
Environmental Review Document
- Part IV Approval under the EP Act
Main Roads referred Stages 2, 3 and 4 of the Manuwarra Red Dog Highway (the Original Proposal) to the EPA, which was assessed and approved under Ministerial Statement 677 in 2005. During construction of Stage 3 of the project, Main Roads became aware that the Original Proposal’s authorised Disturbance Footprint was insufficient to complete Stage 4.
In November 2020, Main Roads referred the Revised Proposal, based on conditional approval granted by Ministerial Statement 677, to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for assessment under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act, for Stage 4. The EPA determined that the Revised Proposal be assessed at the level of Referral Information with Additional Information.
The Additional Information for MRDH was released for community review and comment during August 2022. Main Roads then provided a response to the EPA for the community comments received during this period.
The EPA released its Report and Recommendations in February 2023. No appeals were received. Visit the EPA website to view the report.
On 04 July 2023 the Minister for the Environment provided conditional approval subject to conditions under Ministerial Statement 1205. For further information, visit the EPA website.
In July 2020, Main Roads referred the project to DCCEEW for a decision on the need for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act).
The proposed action was determined to be a controlled action under the EPBC Act and was assessed through Preliminary Documentation, pursuant to Section 95A(3) of the EPBC Act. In accordance with Section 95A(3) of the EPBC Act, Preliminary Documentation related to the proposed action was made publicly available for viewing and comment.
On 24 January 2023, DCCEEW provided conditional environmental approval (EPBC 2020-8725). For further information, visit the EPBC Act Public Portal.
Manuwarra Red Dog Highway - EPBC 2020-8725 - Annual Compliance Report - 2024 - 2025 - PDF (1.33 MB)
Manuwarra Red Dog Highway - EPBC 2020-8725 - Annual Compliance Report - 2023 - 2024 - PDF (15 KB)
