❓ WA Parliament QoN regarding phenolic tar contamination from the Wundowie smelter at Morangup, addressing property acquisition, site cleanup, resident health protection, and water source protection. The government is offering to purchase properties and has a remediation plan.
AnsweredQoN 1308Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
POLLUTED LOTS, MORANGUP
I refer to the polluted lots at Morangup Road, Morangup, upon which phenolic tar residues from the Wundowie smelter have been dumped. (1) Will these properties be acquired by the State Government? (2) What steps are being taken to - (a) clean up these sites; and (b) protect the health of residents who reside upon those sites? (3) How are ground water and surface water catchments being protected from the pollution? Hon TOM STEPHENS
I refer to the polluted lots at Morangup Road, Morangup, upon which phenolic tar residues from the Wundowie smelter have been dumped. (1) Will these properties be acquired by the State Government? (2) What steps are being taken to - (a) clean up these sites; and (b) protect the health of residents who reside upon those sites? (3) How are ground water and surface water catchments being protected from the pollution? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
It appears that I have a number of different words on my copy of the question. I do not think it will materially change the answer, but my copy of the question ends with the words “being protected from polluted runoff”. I hope that is what I am answering. I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - (1) Owners of the three contaminated properties on Morangup Road, Toodyay are being provided the opportunity to sell their properties to the State. Letters of offer and acceptance will be received by the property owners this week. These properties will not be compulsorily acquired. (2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
(1) Will these properties be acquired by the State Government? (2) What steps are being taken to - (a) clean up these sites; and (b) protect the health of residents who reside upon those sites? (3) How are ground water and surface water catchments being protected from the pollution? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: It appears that I have a number of different words on my copy of the question. I do not think it will materially change the answer, but my copy of the question ends with the words “being protected from polluted runoff”. I hope that is what I am answering. I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - (1) Owners of the three contaminated properties on Morangup Road, Toodyay are being provided the opportunity to sell their properties to the State. Letters of offer and acceptance will be received by the property owners this week. These properties will not be compulsorily acquired. (2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
(2) What steps are being taken to - (a) clean up these sites; and (b) protect the health of residents who reside upon those sites? (3) How are ground water and surface water catchments being protected from the pollution? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: It appears that I have a number of different words on my copy of the question. I do not think it will materially change the answer, but my copy of the question ends with the words “being protected from polluted runoff”. I hope that is what I am answering. I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - (1) Owners of the three contaminated properties on Morangup Road, Toodyay are being provided the opportunity to sell their properties to the State. Letters of offer and acceptance will be received by the property owners this week. These properties will not be compulsorily acquired. (2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
(b) protect the health of residents who reside upon those sites?
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: It appears that I have a number of different words on my copy of the question. I do not think it will materially change the answer, but my copy of the question ends with the words “being protected from polluted runoff”. I hope that is what I am answering. I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - (1) Owners of the three contaminated properties on Morangup Road, Toodyay are being provided the opportunity to sell their properties to the State. Letters of offer and acceptance will be received by the property owners this week. These properties will not be compulsorily acquired. (2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
It appears that I have a number of different words on my copy of the question. I do not think it will materially change the answer, but my copy of the question ends with the words “being protected from polluted runoff”. I hope that is what I am answering. I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - (1) Owners of the three contaminated properties on Morangup Road, Toodyay are being provided the opportunity to sell their properties to the State. Letters of offer and acceptance will be received by the property owners this week. These properties will not be compulsorily acquired. (2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - (1) Owners of the three contaminated properties on Morangup Road, Toodyay are being provided the opportunity to sell their properties to the State. Letters of offer and acceptance will be received by the property owners this week. These properties will not be compulsorily acquired. (2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
(1) Owners of the three contaminated properties on Morangup Road, Toodyay are being provided the opportunity to sell their properties to the State. Letters of offer and acceptance will be received by the property owners this week. These properties will not be compulsorily acquired. (2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
(2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
(1) Will these properties be acquired by the State Government? (2) What steps are being taken to - (a) clean up these sites; and (b) protect the health of residents who reside upon those sites? (3) How are ground water and surface water catchments being protected from the pollution? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: It appears that I have a number of different words on my copy of the question. I do not think it will materially change the answer, but my copy of the question ends with the words “being protected from polluted runoff”. I hope that is what I am answering. I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - (1) Owners of the three contaminated properties on Morangup Road, Toodyay are being provided the opportunity to sell their properties to the State. Letters of offer and acceptance will be received by the property owners this week. These properties will not be compulsorily acquired. (2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
(2) What steps are being taken to - (a) clean up these sites; and (b) protect the health of residents who reside upon those sites? (3) How are ground water and surface water catchments being protected from the pollution? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: It appears that I have a number of different words on my copy of the question. I do not think it will materially change the answer, but my copy of the question ends with the words “being protected from polluted runoff”. I hope that is what I am answering. I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - (1) Owners of the three contaminated properties on Morangup Road, Toodyay are being provided the opportunity to sell their properties to the State. Letters of offer and acceptance will be received by the property owners this week. These properties will not be compulsorily acquired. (2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
(b) protect the health of residents who reside upon those sites?
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: It appears that I have a number of different words on my copy of the question. I do not think it will materially change the answer, but my copy of the question ends with the words “being protected from polluted runoff”. I hope that is what I am answering. I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - (1) Owners of the three contaminated properties on Morangup Road, Toodyay are being provided the opportunity to sell their properties to the State. Letters of offer and acceptance will be received by the property owners this week. These properties will not be compulsorily acquired. (2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
It appears that I have a number of different words on my copy of the question. I do not think it will materially change the answer, but my copy of the question ends with the words “being protected from polluted runoff”. I hope that is what I am answering. I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - (1) Owners of the three contaminated properties on Morangup Road, Toodyay are being provided the opportunity to sell their properties to the State. Letters of offer and acceptance will be received by the property owners this week. These properties will not be compulsorily acquired. (2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage provides the following response - (1) Owners of the three contaminated properties on Morangup Road, Toodyay are being provided the opportunity to sell their properties to the State. Letters of offer and acceptance will be received by the property owners this week. These properties will not be compulsorily acquired. (2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
(1) Owners of the three contaminated properties on Morangup Road, Toodyay are being provided the opportunity to sell their properties to the State. Letters of offer and acceptance will be received by the property owners this week. These properties will not be compulsorily acquired. (2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
(2) (a) Ministerial statement No 587, placing conditions on the remediation project, was published on 1 March 2002. Project planning has commenced and the remedial works are scheduled to be undertaken this year. Site works should commence in August-September and will take approximately 13 weeks to complete. (b) Extensive investigations have found that only low levels of contamination exist on the affected properties. The Department of Health has advised that the contamination does not pose a health risk, but because of its hydrophobicity it has the potential to cause nuisance dust. Dust suppression has been applied to two of the properties to control dust. Dust suppression was not applied to the third property because the owners refused it. The owners have been advised that the offer to apply dust suppression remains. Analysis of ground water and water from rainwater tanks in the vicinity of the contamination is undertaken every six months. Monitoring over the past 18 months has indicated that the collected rainwater is suitable for human consumption. (3) The soil contamination has been present for over 20 years, during which time some contaminants have leached into the ground water. Extensive monitoring of the ground water has found that the contamination is minor and does not currently pose a health or environmental risk. The local creek is also regularly monitored and has shown no contamination. It is therefore not considered necessary to implement any additional strategies other than the removal of the contaminated soil.
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