SAT Review – Approval Conditions – Vanadium Processing Facility, Tenindewa

Consultation closes 27 July 2026

Existing Development Approval Details

On 31 July 2025, the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) approved a development application for a vanadium processing facility at Lots 40 and 41 Geraldton-Mount Magnet Road, Tenindewa via the Part 17 Significant Development Pathway, subject to 20 conditions.

The facility will process vanadium ore concentrate used to produce an iron-titanium co-product and a high purity vanadium pentoxide product used in the production of batteries, aerospace parts and alloy steels.

The facility comprises materials storage and laydown areas, evaporation ponds, internal access roads, two new entry points to Geraldton-Mount Magnet Road, a construction camp and energy infrastructure.

The agenda and minutes for the WAPC meeting where the application was approved are available under the ‘Important Links’ tab on the right.

Review of Conditions of Approval

An application has now been made to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) seeking a review of several conditions of development approval. The application does not seek changes to the previously approved built form, land use or operational characteristics.

The applicant requests the following specific modifications to conditions:

• Conditions 7(a), 8(a), 9(a), 11(a), 13(a), 15(a), 18(a), 19(a) and 20(a) – modification to allow the timing of submissions and approvals for various updated plans, updated management plans, and final certifications to be aligned with the detailed Construction and Commissioning Schedule Summary (staging plan) submitted as part of the package for reconsideration.
• Conditions 7(a)(i) and 7(a)(x) – modification to allow flexibility for low noise generating construction activities to be carried out during the evening and overnight, having regard to the additional information provided in the Overview of Construction Program, Timing and Impacts document submitted as part of the package for reconsideration.
• Condition 8(b) – modification to clarify that it is the mitigation measures outlined in clause 4.3 of the updated Visual Impact Assessment Report submitted as part of the package for reconsideration that need to be implemented.
• Condition 14(a) – modification to clarify that the updated Operational Management Plan must address the matters outlined in the Operational Management Plan: Proposed Content and Structure document submitted as part of the package for reconsideration.
• Condition 13(a)(iv) – modification to allow the real-time noise monitoring program to conclude six (6) months after the commencement of operations, having regard to the additional information provided in the Noise Monitoring and Commissioning Process document submitted as part of the package for reconsideration.
• Condition 9(a)(iii) – modification to remove reference to ‘oversized agricultural machinery’, having regard to the Shawmac Technical Note submitted as part of the package for reconsideration.
• Conditions 4 and 20(ii) – modification to clarify what constitutes an appropriate location for the temporary workforce accommodation.
• Conditions 6, 7(a)(viii), 16(a), 18(b) and 19(b) – minor administrative amendments.

Further details of the proposal, including the applicant’s proposed wording for each of the conditions outlined above can be found in the ‘Key Documents’ and ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ tabs on the right of this page.

The SAT has invited the WAPC to reconsider its decision by 17 September 2026. An invitation of the SAT does not imply support of approval of the application as it stands.

The proposal is being advertised to seek public comments and is open until 27 July 2026.

Comments from members of the public and other stakeholders, including the City of Greater Geraldton, will be provided to the WAPC for final determination.

For more information about public consultation, including tips on how to make a good submission, please visit the Public consultation in the WA planning system webpage.