Extractive Industries

The establishment, extension or expansion of an extractive industry in the Shire of West Arthur requires the local government’s development approval under Local Planning Scheme No.2 in each and every instance unless it is undertaken by a government agency for the purpose of public works.

An extractive industry is defined in the Shire’s Local Planning Scheme No.2 as an industry which involves the extraction, quarrying or removal of basic raw materials including sand, gravel, clay, hard rock, stone or similar material from any land and includes the treatment and storage of those materials, or the manufacture of products from those materials on, or adjacent to, the land from which the materials are extracted, but does not include ‘mining industry’ which involves the extraction of minerals and is controlled separately by the State government under the Mining Act 1978.

In addition to the Shire’s usual information requirements, all development applications for extractive industries must be supported by a detailed management plan that clearly demonstrates:

  1. Site description and analysis;
  2. Strategic and statutory planning requirements;
  3. Identification of key environmental values and those requiring protection;
  4. That extractive industry operations will/are adhering to designated separation distances and will not impact or be impacted by sensitive land uses;
  5. Proposed transport routes used and site access details;
  6. Sequential land use and a staging plan for the rehabilitation of the site for its intended long-term use; and
  7. Compliance with any other considerations as outlined in the Basic Raw Materials Guidelines published by the Western Australian Planning Commission, Planning guidelines - Basic Raw Materials.

It is important to note the establishment, extension or expansion of an extractive industry in the Shire without the local government’s formal development approval constitutes an offence under the Planning and Development Act 2005. A person who commits an offence under this Act may be liable to a fine of up to $200 000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine of up to $25 000 for each day during which the offence continues.

Any queries regarding any of the abovementioned requirements should be directed to the Shire’s Chief Executive Officer in the first instance.