❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses a noise breach by Kalgoorlie Cement Works (KCW) and the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) response, including a warning and required actions. The response reveals KCW's inability to engage an acoustic consultant and alternative noise attenuation measures undertaken.
AnsweredQoN 580Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a letter which I understand is dated January 15 2003 signed by Wayne Astill, Program Manager - Kalgoorlie titled ‘Kalgoorlie Cement Works (KCW Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997’ -
(1) Is it correct part of this letter states ‘The analysis of these recordings has indicated a 3dB breach of the assigned level as per the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. As a consequence the DEP have issued a warning to KCW with a requirement to engage a suitably qualified acoustic consultant to assess all of the noise sources as to their levels and times of operations. From this they should recommend measures to control and attenuate the noise to enable KCW to comply with the regulations. Given the specialised nature of this field, KCW have until February 28 2003 to engage this consultant and provide a commitment of works to improve the site’?
(2) If no to (1), will the Minister table a copy of this letter?
(3) If yes to (1), can the Minister detail the specific commitment of works to improve the site?
(4) Can the Minister state under what section of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
the Department was able to issue a warning in relation to the breach of the Regulations and then instruct KCW to engage a suitably qualified acoustic consultant?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Can the Minister provide the name of the acoustic consultant engaged and the date on which he commenced given that Mr Right, the neighbour, has been affected by the noise of these premises for well over 14 months?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(1) Is it correct part of this letter states ‘The analysis of these recordings has indicated a 3dB breach of the assigned level as per the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. As a consequence the DEP have issued a warning to KCW with a requirement to engage a suitably qualified acoustic consultant to assess all of the noise sources as to their levels and times of operations. From this they should recommend measures to control and attenuate the noise to enable KCW to comply with the regulations. Given the specialised nature of this field, KCW have until February 28 2003 to engage this consultant and provide a commitment of works to improve the site’?
(2) If no to (1), will the Minister table a copy of this letter?
(3) If yes to (1), can the Minister detail the specific commitment of works to improve the site?
(4) Can the Minister state under what section of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
the Department was able to issue a warning in relation to the breach of the Regulations and then instruct KCW to engage a suitably qualified acoustic consultant?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Can the Minister provide the name of the acoustic consultant engaged and the date on which he commenced given that Mr Right, the neighbour, has been affected by the noise of these premises for well over 14 months?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 May 2003
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
47 days
(1) Yes. (2) Answered by (1). (3) Kalgoorlie Cement Works (KCW) replied to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on 27 February 2003 indicating that it was unable to engage a suitably qualified acoustic consultant in Kalgoorlie for less than $15,000 for the installation of equipment, monitoring and follow up report. Furthermore, it could not undertake this monitoring within the timeframe required. Instead, it has undertaken the following to attenuate the noise: box culverts are now manufactured off site, resulting in less hammering; purchase of a small vibrator and investigating the option of an electric vibrator; an additional muffler installed on the site bobcat. Consideration is also been given to raise the height of the fence to act as a further noise buffer. (4) The 3dB breach is considered a minor breech of Section 7 the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. However, there was insufficient evidence to prosecute KCW for this one event. Therefore, the warning was issued as advice to KCW to make improvements to reduce new emissions as the most appropriate level of enforcement. The DEP is seeking practical solutions to the ongoing issues at the KCW. (5) Answered by (4). (6) Answered by (3). No acoustic consultant has been engaged by KCW. (7) Answered by (6).
(2) Answered by (1). (3) Kalgoorlie Cement Works (KCW) replied to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on 27 February 2003 indicating that it was unable to engage a suitably qualified acoustic consultant in Kalgoorlie for less than $15,000 for the installation of equipment, monitoring and follow up report. Furthermore, it could not undertake this monitoring within the timeframe required. Instead, it has undertaken the following to attenuate the noise: box culverts are now manufactured off site, resulting in less hammering; purchase of a small vibrator and investigating the option of an electric vibrator; an additional muffler installed on the site bobcat. Consideration is also been given to raise the height of the fence to act as a further noise buffer. (4) The 3dB breach is considered a minor breech of Section 7 the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. However, there was insufficient evidence to prosecute KCW for this one event. Therefore, the warning was issued as advice to KCW to make improvements to reduce new emissions as the most appropriate level of enforcement. The DEP is seeking practical solutions to the ongoing issues at the KCW. (5) Answered by (4). (6) Answered by (3). No acoustic consultant has been engaged by KCW. (7) Answered by (6).
(3) Kalgoorlie Cement Works (KCW) replied to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on 27 February 2003 indicating that it was unable to engage a suitably qualified acoustic consultant in Kalgoorlie for less than $15,000 for the installation of equipment, monitoring and follow up report. Furthermore, it could not undertake this monitoring within the timeframe required. Instead, it has undertaken the following to attenuate the noise: box culverts are now manufactured off site, resulting in less hammering; purchase of a small vibrator and investigating the option of an electric vibrator; an additional muffler installed on the site bobcat. Consideration is also been given to raise the height of the fence to act as a further noise buffer. (4) The 3dB breach is considered a minor breech of Section 7 the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. However, there was insufficient evidence to prosecute KCW for this one event. Therefore, the warning was issued as advice to KCW to make improvements to reduce new emissions as the most appropriate level of enforcement. The DEP is seeking practical solutions to the ongoing issues at the KCW. (5) Answered by (4). (6) Answered by (3). No acoustic consultant has been engaged by KCW. (7) Answered by (6).
(4) The 3dB breach is considered a minor breech of Section 7 the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. However, there was insufficient evidence to prosecute KCW for this one event. Therefore, the warning was issued as advice to KCW to make improvements to reduce new emissions as the most appropriate level of enforcement. The DEP is seeking practical solutions to the ongoing issues at the KCW. (5) Answered by (4). (6) Answered by (3). No acoustic consultant has been engaged by KCW. (7) Answered by (6).
(5) Answered by (4). (6) Answered by (3). No acoustic consultant has been engaged by KCW. (7) Answered by (6).
(6) Answered by (3). No acoustic consultant has been engaged by KCW. (7) Answered by (6).
(7) Answered by (6).
(2) Answered by (1). (3) Kalgoorlie Cement Works (KCW) replied to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on 27 February 2003 indicating that it was unable to engage a suitably qualified acoustic consultant in Kalgoorlie for less than $15,000 for the installation of equipment, monitoring and follow up report. Furthermore, it could not undertake this monitoring within the timeframe required. Instead, it has undertaken the following to attenuate the noise: box culverts are now manufactured off site, resulting in less hammering; purchase of a small vibrator and investigating the option of an electric vibrator; an additional muffler installed on the site bobcat. Consideration is also been given to raise the height of the fence to act as a further noise buffer. (4) The 3dB breach is considered a minor breech of Section 7 the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. However, there was insufficient evidence to prosecute KCW for this one event. Therefore, the warning was issued as advice to KCW to make improvements to reduce new emissions as the most appropriate level of enforcement. The DEP is seeking practical solutions to the ongoing issues at the KCW. (5) Answered by (4). (6) Answered by (3). No acoustic consultant has been engaged by KCW. (7) Answered by (6).
(3) Kalgoorlie Cement Works (KCW) replied to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on 27 February 2003 indicating that it was unable to engage a suitably qualified acoustic consultant in Kalgoorlie for less than $15,000 for the installation of equipment, monitoring and follow up report. Furthermore, it could not undertake this monitoring within the timeframe required. Instead, it has undertaken the following to attenuate the noise: box culverts are now manufactured off site, resulting in less hammering; purchase of a small vibrator and investigating the option of an electric vibrator; an additional muffler installed on the site bobcat. Consideration is also been given to raise the height of the fence to act as a further noise buffer. (4) The 3dB breach is considered a minor breech of Section 7 the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. However, there was insufficient evidence to prosecute KCW for this one event. Therefore, the warning was issued as advice to KCW to make improvements to reduce new emissions as the most appropriate level of enforcement. The DEP is seeking practical solutions to the ongoing issues at the KCW. (5) Answered by (4). (6) Answered by (3). No acoustic consultant has been engaged by KCW. (7) Answered by (6).
(4) The 3dB breach is considered a minor breech of Section 7 the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. However, there was insufficient evidence to prosecute KCW for this one event. Therefore, the warning was issued as advice to KCW to make improvements to reduce new emissions as the most appropriate level of enforcement. The DEP is seeking practical solutions to the ongoing issues at the KCW. (5) Answered by (4). (6) Answered by (3). No acoustic consultant has been engaged by KCW. (7) Answered by (6).
(5) Answered by (4). (6) Answered by (3). No acoustic consultant has been engaged by KCW. (7) Answered by (6).
(6) Answered by (3). No acoustic consultant has been engaged by KCW. (7) Answered by (6).
(7) Answered by (6).
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