Ashburton North - Strategic Industrial Area
In 2008, the Western Australian Government resolved that a new hydrocarbon processing precinct should be developed to derive maximum benefit from substantial gas discoveries off the Pilbara coast near Onslow.
Located 12 kilometres south-west of the town of Onslow, the Ashburton North Strategic Industrial Area (ANSIA) has been established as a multi-use precinct to deliver on that commitment.
The ANSIA land use plan includes three larger sites for major gas processing proponents, secondary processing sites, areas for general support industries and supply base operations, a port managed by the Pilbara Ports Authority and common user access and infrastructure corridors.
There are two major hydrocarbon projects in the ANSIA; the Wheatstone and Macedon projects, developed and operated by Chevron and BHP Billiton respectively. Wheatstone began exporting LNG in October 2017, while the Macedon domestic gas project has been operating since September 2013.
Two Multi-User Infrastructure Corridors are also planned for the ANSIA to accommodate the various requirements for transportation of products and transmission of utilities, with one already constructed. The corridors provide access to the Port of Ashburton and space for future infrastructure including product pipelines or utilities.
The eastern corridor has been developed and provides road access between the Port of Ashburton, future development sites, workforce accommodation areas and North West Coastal Highway (via Onslow Road).
The department is the lead agency for the ANSIA. Its primary roles are to negotiate relevant agreements between the State and major project proponents, coordinate land use and planning, land acquisition and tenure processes, and infrastructure provision.Planning and development for the ANSIA has involved extensive environmental, flora and fauna, and heritage studies that comply with Western Australia’s strict environmental regulations. The department is currently working with LandCorp to further investigate the “Stage 2” area of the ANSIA and help prepare this land for development.