❓ A parliamentary question seeks information regarding a factory in Thornlie that allegedly produced herbicides in the 1960s, including potential contamination and government involvement. The Minister requests the question be placed on notice to allow for information gathering.
AnsweredQoN 1287Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
THORNLIE FACTORY, HERBICIDE PRODUCTION
My question is in regard to a factory on Spring and Jana Roads, Thornlie, which was operated in the early 1960s by a company called Technical Services Limited, and which reportedly emitted foul-smelling fumes, particularly at night. (1) Can the minister confirm whether the factory produced Agent Orange, 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol, 2,4-D or any other herbicide? If yes to (1) - (2) When did the factory cease operating on that site, and did the State Government financially assist the company to relocate to Kwinana under the name of Kwinana Chemical Company? (3) What methods were implemented to remove any contamination from the Thornlie site and its surrounds? (4) Were any studies carried out in the area after the closure of the factory to determine the impacts of the emissions on the surrounding soil and ground water and the nearby Canning River? (5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there have been any long-term impacts from the emissions, particularly in relation to ground water contamination; and, if so, are there any indications of evidence of contamination at or surrounding the site? Hon TOM STEPHENS
My question is in regard to a factory on Spring and Jana Roads, Thornlie, which was operated in the early 1960s by a company called Technical Services Limited, and which reportedly emitted foul-smelling fumes, particularly at night. (1) Can the minister confirm whether the factory produced Agent Orange, 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol, 2,4-D or any other herbicide? If yes to (1) - (2) When did the factory cease operating on that site, and did the State Government financially assist the company to relocate to Kwinana under the name of Kwinana Chemical Company? (3) What methods were implemented to remove any contamination from the Thornlie site and its surrounds? (4) Were any studies carried out in the area after the closure of the factory to determine the impacts of the emissions on the surrounding soil and ground water and the nearby Canning River? (5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there have been any long-term impacts from the emissions, particularly in relation to ground water contamination; and, if so, are there any indications of evidence of contamination at or surrounding the site? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
(1) Can the minister confirm whether the factory produced Agent Orange, 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol, 2,4-D or any other herbicide? If yes to (1) - (2) When did the factory cease operating on that site, and did the State Government financially assist the company to relocate to Kwinana under the name of Kwinana Chemical Company? (3) What methods were implemented to remove any contamination from the Thornlie site and its surrounds? (4) Were any studies carried out in the area after the closure of the factory to determine the impacts of the emissions on the surrounding soil and ground water and the nearby Canning River? (5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there have been any long-term impacts from the emissions, particularly in relation to ground water contamination; and, if so, are there any indications of evidence of contamination at or surrounding the site? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
If yes to (1) - (2) When did the factory cease operating on that site, and did the State Government financially assist the company to relocate to Kwinana under the name of Kwinana Chemical Company? (3) What methods were implemented to remove any contamination from the Thornlie site and its surrounds? (4) Were any studies carried out in the area after the closure of the factory to determine the impacts of the emissions on the surrounding soil and ground water and the nearby Canning River? (5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there have been any long-term impacts from the emissions, particularly in relation to ground water contamination; and, if so, are there any indications of evidence of contamination at or surrounding the site? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
(2) When did the factory cease operating on that site, and did the State Government financially assist the company to relocate to Kwinana under the name of Kwinana Chemical Company? (3) What methods were implemented to remove any contamination from the Thornlie site and its surrounds? (4) Were any studies carried out in the area after the closure of the factory to determine the impacts of the emissions on the surrounding soil and ground water and the nearby Canning River? (5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there have been any long-term impacts from the emissions, particularly in relation to ground water contamination; and, if so, are there any indications of evidence of contamination at or surrounding the site? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
(3) What methods were implemented to remove any contamination from the Thornlie site and its surrounds? (4) Were any studies carried out in the area after the closure of the factory to determine the impacts of the emissions on the surrounding soil and ground water and the nearby Canning River? (5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there have been any long-term impacts from the emissions, particularly in relation to ground water contamination; and, if so, are there any indications of evidence of contamination at or surrounding the site? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
(4) Were any studies carried out in the area after the closure of the factory to determine the impacts of the emissions on the surrounding soil and ground water and the nearby Canning River? (5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there have been any long-term impacts from the emissions, particularly in relation to ground water contamination; and, if so, are there any indications of evidence of contamination at or surrounding the site? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
(5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there have been any long-term impacts from the emissions, particularly in relation to ground water contamination; and, if so, are there any indications of evidence of contamination at or surrounding the site? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
(1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
(1) Can the minister confirm whether the factory produced Agent Orange, 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol, 2,4-D or any other herbicide? If yes to (1) - (2) When did the factory cease operating on that site, and did the State Government financially assist the company to relocate to Kwinana under the name of Kwinana Chemical Company? (3) What methods were implemented to remove any contamination from the Thornlie site and its surrounds? (4) Were any studies carried out in the area after the closure of the factory to determine the impacts of the emissions on the surrounding soil and ground water and the nearby Canning River? (5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there have been any long-term impacts from the emissions, particularly in relation to ground water contamination; and, if so, are there any indications of evidence of contamination at or surrounding the site? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
If yes to (1) - (2) When did the factory cease operating on that site, and did the State Government financially assist the company to relocate to Kwinana under the name of Kwinana Chemical Company? (3) What methods were implemented to remove any contamination from the Thornlie site and its surrounds? (4) Were any studies carried out in the area after the closure of the factory to determine the impacts of the emissions on the surrounding soil and ground water and the nearby Canning River? (5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there have been any long-term impacts from the emissions, particularly in relation to ground water contamination; and, if so, are there any indications of evidence of contamination at or surrounding the site? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
(2) When did the factory cease operating on that site, and did the State Government financially assist the company to relocate to Kwinana under the name of Kwinana Chemical Company? (3) What methods were implemented to remove any contamination from the Thornlie site and its surrounds? (4) Were any studies carried out in the area after the closure of the factory to determine the impacts of the emissions on the surrounding soil and ground water and the nearby Canning River? (5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there have been any long-term impacts from the emissions, particularly in relation to ground water contamination; and, if so, are there any indications of evidence of contamination at or surrounding the site? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
(3) What methods were implemented to remove any contamination from the Thornlie site and its surrounds? (4) Were any studies carried out in the area after the closure of the factory to determine the impacts of the emissions on the surrounding soil and ground water and the nearby Canning River? (5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there have been any long-term impacts from the emissions, particularly in relation to ground water contamination; and, if so, are there any indications of evidence of contamination at or surrounding the site? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
(4) Were any studies carried out in the area after the closure of the factory to determine the impacts of the emissions on the surrounding soil and ground water and the nearby Canning River? (5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there have been any long-term impacts from the emissions, particularly in relation to ground water contamination; and, if so, are there any indications of evidence of contamination at or surrounding the site? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
(5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there have been any long-term impacts from the emissions, particularly in relation to ground water contamination; and, if so, are there any indications of evidence of contamination at or surrounding the site? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
(1)-(5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that the question relates to activities that occurred during the 1960s and therefore predate the Environmental Protection Act 1986. As such, information is likely to be held by the other departments that would have been responsible for this matter at that time. The Department of Environmental Protection will require some time to locate the appropriate records and provide the information requested. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage therefore asks that the question be placed on notice.
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