A proposed $100 million surf park in the Perth suburb of Jandakot is one step closer to pumping out waves, after the state's environmental watchdog ruled it did not require further assessment.
Despite concerns about endangered black cockatoo habitats on the site, located between an industrial area and the Kwinana Freeway, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) decided the vegetation was already too degraded.
The surf park would sit on 5.78 hectares of land and could require up to 5.26ha of native vegetation to be cleared, including 3.15ha of Banksia Woodlands, a state-listed priority ecological community.
Environmental consultants commissioned by the proponent, Aventuur, had found that ripping up Banksia trees, which can be a foraging habitat for Black Cockatoos, could put the threatened species at risk.
The company then referred the project for federal environmental assessment, which found last July it did not present a significant risk to Black Cockatoos and did not need assessment.
Aventuur also referred the surf park to the WA EPA, which examined the impacts on flora and fauna, inland waters, water quality from polluted discharge and noise.
During a public comment period, submissions overwhelmingly urged the EPA to assess the project. Out of 1096 submissions, only 150 pushed for no assessment.
No need for formal assessment: watchdog
After conducting its own investigations, the watchdog agreed with the minority.
"The EPA considers that the likely environmental effects of the proposal are not so significant as to warrant formal assessment," the EPA concluded.
"The vegetation has been impacted by historical clearing and ongoing degrading processes leading to large proportion of weeds and limited canopy connectivity.
"The vegetation is of low to moderate quality foraging habitat for Black Cockatoos."
The decision can still be appealed, and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation will also assess a native vegetation clearing application.
Proponent to offset land clearing with nature reserve
Aventuur said it wanted its projects to "deliver net positive environmental outcomes" and it would buy 18 hectares of Banksia Woodland on the Swan Coastal Plain and donate it to the state as a nature reserve to offset its land clearing.
The proposed surf park would have a large open water surfing lagoon, accommodation, bars and restaurants, a function centre, an events space, a skating area, and a health and wellness centre.
Aventuur promised the park's buildings would be five-star green rated and it would remove existing banksia trees during clearing and then replant them on site.
"In each aspect of our project, we aim to exceed the stringent requirements of the WA government to deliver a world-leading example of a sustainable, responsible surf park development," it said in a statement.
The project also needed development approval from the City of Cockburn to go ahead.
Construction would then start in late 2023 and it would open to wave hungry surfers in late 2025.
