Lithium Valley Main Report 2018
salt content is a valuable but expensive commodity. The treated wastewater presently being recycled by industry from the sewage pipe passing through Kwinana is a good example of how the area can treat its waste. WaterCorp has its Managed Aquifer Recharge project that is now taking 100% treated sewage and recycling it back to the northern groundwater aquifers. The New Energy initiative in Kwinana can be used to ensure any water needed for the site is treated wastewater and any wastewater created is returned to the system as 100% treated groundwater recharge for the southern aquifers or used by agriculture or industry as part of a Circular Economy program with considerable value to the state. 3.3.15. State strategic plan and objectives Provide industry with a clearer view of how Lithium Valley industries fit into its strategic objectives. There are many reasons why the State Government needs to clarify the WA Vision of industry, employment, the environment and the economy over a 5 and 10-year period. The Lithium Valley initiative is a very good example of how a clear and committed strategy and vision of industry, employment, the environment and the economy for at least the next five to ten years, can help provide the certainty industries need for investment and the community needs to provide the political capital for government programs. Such a Strategy would then help bring all agencies and government bodies to assist with the Lithium Valley agenda. It is considered essential that the State has a clear and committed strategy and vision of industry, employment, the environment and the economy for at least the next five to ten years. This is to provide guidance to society and industry about the desired direction for the State. For instance, the Government should: ● ● Clarify the short, medium and long-term strategy for energy. For instance, the EU’s strategy is structured around five closely interrelated and mutually reinforcing dimensions addressing (i) energy supply security, (ii) a fully-integrated energy market, (iii) energy efficiency, (iv) decarbonising the economy and (v) research, innovation and competitiveness. Perhaps WA could have a similar strategy and execution plan. ● ● Create a term-limited project directorate with the authority and support to drive cooperation, collaboration and completion of the roadmap towards the WA Vision. ● ● Prioritise and enhance overseas efforts by WA Government resources such as WA’s Agent General to the UK, and where possible orient all diplomatic missions by Western Australian Ministers in 2019 to ensure these are well informed, well integrated, well resourced, and well managed to provide the highest level of Export policy framework The lithium sector is critical for the new energy economy. Other jurisdictions, such as Chile, around the world have imposed significant conditions on lithium extractors including term licenses, downstream investment demands, export limits and commitments to in-country value add. Australia has a significant amount of new energy resources, although it has a restricted range of customers for value added industries, yet. These can be opened up by a concerted State Government plan starting with a Strategic State Plan. It is recommended that for all “new energy” materials, an export policy framework should be established that: ● ● Supports reservation of materials for local value-add; ● ● Supports commitments for local investment in local value industries; and ● ● Supports global diversification of customers.
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