BHP Billiton today released its Public Environmental Review (PER)/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) to seek Commonwealth and Western Australia government approvals for the proposed development of an Outer Harbour facility in Port Hedland. The proposed Outer Harbour development is integral to BHP Billiton's future expansion plans at its Western Australia Iron Ore operations.

The PER/Draft EIS will be available for public comment for a period of eight weeks. The public comment period is an opportunity for interested stakeholders to make their views known to government.

The Commonwealth and Western Australia governments will then consider the PER/Draft EIS and the public submissions.

All materials related to the PER/Draft EIS can be found at www.bhpbilliton.com.