State explosive facilities (SEFs)

Location of State explosive reserves

The department manages 4 active State Explosives Facilities (SEFs) in Western Australia. They are located in:

• Kalgoorlie
• Karratha
• McLarty, near Myalup
• Pippingarra, near Port Hedland

Our aim is to manage these facilities for the benefit of the State by optimising the use and commercial potential of the sites, while maintaining high standards of safety and security.

Sites at SEFs are leased to private operators for the purposes of:

• storage and/or manufacture of explosives
• storage and/or manufacture of security sensitive ammonium nitrate (SSAN)

The McLarty and Kalgoorlie SEFs are provided with departmental staff, sealed roads, power and security. Users must provide their own infrastructure at the other SEFs.

What is the process for obtaining a lease?

Initial inquiries about obtaining a SEF lease should be directed to the Lease Processing Officer. Before obtaining a lease at a SEF, the prospective lease holder must:

• determine, in consultation with the department, that a suitable site is available at the desired reserve
• obtain the relevant licence for the activity to be carried out.

Regulations and licence application information applicable to a manufacturing operation

After a licence has been obtained, the Lease Processing Officer prepares the lease and Landgate forms for the prospective lessee. Minister for Lands consent may be required before the documents can be signed by the lessee and permission to access the land will be granted when the documents have been signed by the Minister for Mines and Petroleum. The executed lease must be lodged at Landgate for registration and the lessee is responsible for any lodgment fees.

SEF leases are standardised for all lease holders and therefore, will not be amended.

The Overview of the explosives manufacture approval process: Information sheet describes the process for obtaining authorisation for explosives manufacture.

The following links may be of use to those requiring licences and permits associated with holding a lease.

• Applying for a test permit for an unauthorised explosive
• Applying to have an explosive authorised
• Applying for an explosives manufacture licence
• Applying for an explosives storage licence
• Applying for an explosives import/export licence
• Applying for a security sensitive ammonium nitrate storage licence
• Applying for a security sensitive ammonium nitrate fertilisers licence
• Applying for a security sensitive ammonium nitrate import/export licence.

For more information see Dangerous goods licensing.

Rules of a State explosive facility

State explosive facilities are subject to specific sets of mandatory rules that address the following matters as well as applicable regulatory requirements:

• operational procedures
• manual handling
• security
• entry and exit
• visitors
• housekeeping
• managing spillages
• emergency procedures
• accidents and incidents. 

Preparing an application for a lease

The information provided in support of the relevant licence application satisfies most of the requirements for a lease application. All structures to be constructed must meet relevant Local Government building code requirements.

Additional details to be supplied will be explained by the Lease Processing Officer.

Associated fees and rent

Lease rent is calculated through a market based square metre rate applied to the total land area leased and a 50% discount applies for SEFs other than Kalgoorlie and McLarty. Rent is paid annually in advance or on a 4-part split payment regime.

Part 16 of the Dangerous Goods Safety (Explosives) Regulations 2007 (Fees for using State explosives facilities) is no longer applied and is due to be repealed. Part 16 fees are waived once the lease is in place.

See Schedule of fees and charges for more information on licence fees.

What are the leaseholder’s obligations?

Leaseholders have a range of obligations as set out in the standard leases. These cover such issues as: 

• rent
• improvements
• maintenance and repairs
• safety equipment
• behaviour at SEFs
• insurance
• signage
• processes for yielding up the site 
• management of pollution
• lease termination.

A checklist is available from the Lease Processing Officer to help ensure all matters are attended to during the lifetime of the lease and upon termination.

Enquiries

Any enquiries about holding a lease at a State explosive facility should be directed the Lease Processing Officer.
Phone: (08) 9358 8070
Email: SEFLeases@demirs.wa.gov.au