An Agreement Act for the new $85 million dollar solar salt project at Onslow has been introduced into State Parliament.
Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Ian Taylor, who introduced the Bill, said one of the important provisions was that the company, Onslow Salt Pty Ltd, was obliged to use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that as many of the company's workforce as possible was recruited locally.
"The project will create about 60 permanent jobs, with another 100 being provided during the construction phase," Mr Taylor said.
"The company proposes to accommodate its work force within the Onslow township and has given an undertaking as part of agreement obligations and environmental approval to provide training for local residents."
The Deputy Premier told Parliament the project, the first major new salt development in Western Australia since the late 1960s, would initially produce about one million tonnes of salt a year - ultimately this was expected to increase to 2.5 million tonnes a year.
This would generate export income of about $20 million per annum rising to $50 million when full capacity was reached.
Two mining leases had been granted to the company to cover the initial project and for future expansion.
Under the Bill, the company was required to submit, on or before December 31 next year, detailed proposals of the production, transportation and shipment of salt.
Details of associated infrastructure including port facilities, power, water, roads, accommodation and ancillary facilities for its workforce, use of local labour, services and materials and an environmental management plan would also be required.
Provisions for royalty payments to the State Government were the same as those contained in existing salt agreements.
The project had already received environmental approval.
