Minister Marmion announced on Friday that he had received the independent Appeal Committee’s report on appeals against the Environmental Protection Authority’s recommendations on the proposal.

“This is a very significant and contentious issue and I understand the level of community concern about this proposal,” he said. “However, I intend to consider the report of the independent Appeals Committee in full before I determine the appeals.”

Earlier this year, the EPA rated the proposal as environmentally unacceptable.

It found the proposal had the potential to adversely impact on a range of environmental values, and that the proponent had not adequately demonstrated its coal mining proposal was environmentally acceptable, based on its referral information and the EPA’s own investigations and inquiries.

Subject to the outcome of the appeals, the Minister is also required to consult with relevant decision-making authorities before a final decision is made on whether the proposal should proceed.

Peter Ross of LD Operations said they agreed the Minister should fully and carefully consider the appeals, “particularly given that the EPA’s original decision ignored and contradicted detailed advice from government agencies and independent experts that supported the project proceeding to further studies”.

“The facts are the EPA hasn’t been able to provide any evidence to support its position either at the time of the original decision or through the appeal, the only possible way to address these issues and make an informed decision in the longer term is for the Minister to send the project out to a full and open Public Environmental Review,” he said.

Brent Watson of the NO COAL!ition group was unimpressed by Mr Ross’s comments.

“He completely ignores lack of social licence, completely ignores the expert science proffered by the community, and proves from his comments that without special legislation there is no way that the region can get out from under the incessant threat of the coal rush,” Mr Watson said.

Fremantle MLA Adele Carles recently asked Minister Marmion to implement a moratorium on the use of hydraulic drilling and fracturing chemicals until those chemicals have been fully assessed by the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme.

However, Minister Marmion said he had confidence that the EPA’s assessment processes are strong enough to protect the environment.