Proponent: Equatorial Launch Australia Pty Ltd
Overview
Equatorial Launch Australia Pty Ltd is proposing to expand the Arnhem Space Centre, located on NT Portion 1646 in the East Arnhem local government area.
The proposed action includes: increasing the lease area to encompass Mineral Lease 31025 to utilise areas disturbed by mining operations; an additional 14 launch pads including supporting infrastructure such as mission support buildings, a helipad, accommodation and fuel storage and pumping facilities; a 1500 ML capacity water dam; and internal access roads. The total affected area will be approximately 250 to 300 ha.
The Arnhem Space Centre is a multi-user commercial facility licensed under the Commonwealth Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018 (Space Act). The Space Act is administered by the Australian Space Agency. In addition to the facility being licensed, launches at the facility require permits under the Act.
Stage 1: Referral
NT EPA notices
- Notice of decision to accept referral for standard assessment – 18 October 2023 PDF (863.5 KB)
- Notice of decision and statement of reasons - assessment by SER - 9 January 2024 PDF (651.9 KB)
Public consultation
Statutory notice (25 October 2023)
The NT EPA published a statutory notice on 25 October 2023 to invite public comment on the referral for standard assessment submitted by Equatorial Launch Australia Pty Ltd to expend the Arnhem Space Centre, located on NT Portion 1646 in the East Arnhem local government area.
Interested persons were invited to make a submission by 22 November 2023. The NT EPA published the notice in accordance with regulation 52(1) of the Environment Protection Regulations 2020.
Documents
| Submissions received on the referral | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Government authority submissions | ||
| 1 | Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority | PDF 681.5 KB |
| 2 | Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet | PDF 82.2 KB |
| 3 | Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security (DEPWS) | PDF 1.1 MB |
| 4 | Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities | PDF 409.6 KB |
| Public submissions | ||
| 5 | Environment Centre Northern Territory | PDF 275.5 KB |
| 6 | Tony Ryan | PDF 1.4 MB |
Stage 2: Assessment
Supplementary environment report (SER)
NT EPA notices
- Direction to provide additional information in the supplementary environmental report (SER) - 6 February 2024 PDF (771.1 KB)
- Direction to provide additional information – 13 September 2024 PDF (789.9 KB).
Statutory notice 15 July 2024
The NT EPA published a statutory notice on 15 July 2024 inviting public comment on the supplementary environmental report (SER) submitted for the Phase 2 Expansion of the Arnhem Space Centre, by Equatorial Launch Australia Pty Ltd. Interested persons were invited to make a submission by 20 August 2024. The NT EPA published the notice in accordance with regulation 122 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2020.
SER documents
| SER documents | Type |
|---|---|
| SER Executive Summary | PDF 168.0 KB |
| Phase 2 Expansion of the Arnhem Space Centre - SER | PDF 3.3 MB |
| Declaration form | PDF 747.6 KB |
| Appendices 1 - 12 | PDF 11.4 MB |
| Submissions received on the SER | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Government authority submissions | ||
| 1 | Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority | PDF 682.8 KB |
| 2 | Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet | PDF 515.8 KB |
| 3 | Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security | PDF 605.5 KB |
| 4 | Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities - Heritage Branch | PDF 466.6 KB |
| Public submissions | ||
| 5 | R. George | PDF 92.6 KB |
| 6 | Environment Centre Northern Territory | PDF 309.1 KB |
| 7 | J. Tutty | PDF 66.8 KB |
| 8 | Northern Land Council | PDF 2.8 MB |
| Submissions received on additional information | Type |
|---|---|
| Government authority submissions | |
| Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority | PDF 388.8 KB |
| Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet | PDF 99.2 KB |
| Department of Lands, Planning and Environment | PDF 846.4 KB |
In accordance with section 281(2) of the Environmental Protection Act 2019, attachments B3, B6, B7, B8, B9, C, E, F, K, and Q have been withheld wholly, or in part, from publication.
Stage 3: Assessment completed
NT EPA notices
Statutory notice (3 December 2024)
The NT EPA provided its assessment report and draft environmental approval to the Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment on 20 November 2024, under sections 64 and 65 of the Environment Protection Act 2019.
The assessment report and draft environmental approval may be inspected and obtained above.
The NT EPA publishes this notice in accordance with section 67 of the Environment Protection Act 2019.
Once the Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment’s decision is made, it can be viewed on the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment's website.