❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about emissions from the Cockburn Cement plant, specifically regarding burning waste and potential health risks. The Minister acknowledges dust concerns and ongoing licence review.
AnsweredQoN 391Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Have the licence conditions for the Cockburn Cement Ltd plant in Munster been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres, waste oil or other waste material? (2) If yes, will the minister please provide me with a copy of the new licence conditions? (3) If no to (1), is the minister currently considering such a change in licence conditions? (4) Is the minister aware of widespread public concern about the emissions from the Cockburn Cement plant in Munster? (5) If yes to (4), what action is the Government taking to address this problem? (6) Will the minister table the results of the most recent dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon tests from the Cockburn Cement plant? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
(1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(2) If yes, will the minister please provide me with a copy of the new licence conditions? (3) If no to (1), is the minister currently considering such a change in licence conditions? (4) Is the minister aware of widespread public concern about the emissions from the Cockburn Cement plant in Munster? (5) If yes to (4), what action is the Government taking to address this problem? (6) Will the minister table the results of the most recent dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon tests from the Cockburn Cement plant? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(3) If no to (1), is the minister currently considering such a change in licence conditions? (4) Is the minister aware of widespread public concern about the emissions from the Cockburn Cement plant in Munster? (5) If yes to (4), what action is the Government taking to address this problem? (6) Will the minister table the results of the most recent dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon tests from the Cockburn Cement plant? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(4) Is the minister aware of widespread public concern about the emissions from the Cockburn Cement plant in Munster? (5) If yes to (4), what action is the Government taking to address this problem? (6) Will the minister table the results of the most recent dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon tests from the Cockburn Cement plant? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(5) If yes to (4), what action is the Government taking to address this problem? (6) Will the minister table the results of the most recent dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon tests from the Cockburn Cement plant? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(6) Will the minister table the results of the most recent dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon tests from the Cockburn Cement plant? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(2) If yes, will the minister please provide me with a copy of the new licence conditions? (3) If no to (1), is the minister currently considering such a change in licence conditions? (4) Is the minister aware of widespread public concern about the emissions from the Cockburn Cement plant in Munster? (5) If yes to (4), what action is the Government taking to address this problem? (6) Will the minister table the results of the most recent dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon tests from the Cockburn Cement plant? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(3) If no to (1), is the minister currently considering such a change in licence conditions? (4) Is the minister aware of widespread public concern about the emissions from the Cockburn Cement plant in Munster? (5) If yes to (4), what action is the Government taking to address this problem? (6) Will the minister table the results of the most recent dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon tests from the Cockburn Cement plant? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(4) Is the minister aware of widespread public concern about the emissions from the Cockburn Cement plant in Munster? (5) If yes to (4), what action is the Government taking to address this problem? (6) Will the minister table the results of the most recent dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon tests from the Cockburn Cement plant? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(5) If yes to (4), what action is the Government taking to address this problem? (6) Will the minister table the results of the most recent dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon tests from the Cockburn Cement plant? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(6) Will the minister table the results of the most recent dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon tests from the Cockburn Cement plant? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(1) Cockburn Cement’s licence has allowed it to burn waste oil since December 1990. That licence has not been changed to allow it to burn waste tyres or other waste material. (2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(2) Not applicable. (3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(3) Licence conditions are set by the Department of Environmental Protection, which advises that there has been no request by the company to amend its licence conditions. (4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(4) The minister is aware that the dust fallout from Cockburn Cement has caused concern for nearby residents. (5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(5) The DEP is currently reviewing Cockburn Cement’s licence conditions and, if necessary, enforcement action. (6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
(6) The DEP advises that it is not aware of any dioxin tests having been performed on stack emissions from Cockburn Cement and is aware of only one-off PAH sampling associated with a trial incineration exercise.
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