❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses community concerns regarding KCGM Superpit's environmental impact (noise, dust, emissions) and seeks information on penalties for breaches and potential prosecution, with the Minister responding by acknowledging concerns, outlining approval processes, and stating ongoing investigations.
AnsweredQoN 3208Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the editorial dated November 25 2005, which appeared on page two of
The Kalgoorlie Miner
titled ‘Delays do not reflect well on watchdog’, various emails dated March 13 2001, from Peter Skitmore to Catherine Harrison, Sean Mcgunninigle copied to various people titled ‘KCGM Superpit Operations’ -
(1) Can the Minister explain why the officer stated ‘Members of the public are specifically requesting that we impose licence conditions to get the right outcome and question why are we not doing what they see as being within our power. I would like to be able to respond to such requests. At present I am saying that we are getting cooperation from KCGM but the community is saying that it is not fast enough and in the meantime they are suffering’?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Does the Minister endorse that the community and environment should keep suffering when the Superpit expands westward, given that KCGM already causes emissions of noise, dust, vibration which seriously impact on the comfort, convenience, welfare, amenity and health of residents and businesses in the area?
(4) If no to (3), what is the Minister going to do to quickly eliminate the suffering?
(5) If yes to (3), why?
(6) Can the Minister state what is the maximum penalty for breaching the Environmental Protection Policy concerning excess sulphur dioxide levels?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) Can the Minister state what is the maximum penalty for breaching Ministerial conditions for KCGM’s failure to monitor for dust levels for a blast on Good Friday, despite having the obligation to monitor?
(9) If no to (8), why not?
(10) Will the Department of Environment prosecute KCGM for exceeding sulphur dioxide levels in the Environmental Protection Policy?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
The Kalgoorlie Miner
titled ‘Delays do not reflect well on watchdog’, various emails dated March 13 2001, from Peter Skitmore to Catherine Harrison, Sean Mcgunninigle copied to various people titled ‘KCGM Superpit Operations’ -
(1) Can the Minister explain why the officer stated ‘Members of the public are specifically requesting that we impose licence conditions to get the right outcome and question why are we not doing what they see as being within our power. I would like to be able to respond to such requests. At present I am saying that we are getting cooperation from KCGM but the community is saying that it is not fast enough and in the meantime they are suffering’?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Does the Minister endorse that the community and environment should keep suffering when the Superpit expands westward, given that KCGM already causes emissions of noise, dust, vibration which seriously impact on the comfort, convenience, welfare, amenity and health of residents and businesses in the area?
(4) If no to (3), what is the Minister going to do to quickly eliminate the suffering?
(5) If yes to (3), why?
(6) Can the Minister state what is the maximum penalty for breaching the Environmental Protection Policy concerning excess sulphur dioxide levels?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) Can the Minister state what is the maximum penalty for breaching Ministerial conditions for KCGM’s failure to monitor for dust levels for a blast on Good Friday, despite having the obligation to monitor?
(9) If no to (8), why not?
(10) Will the Department of Environment prosecute KCGM for exceeding sulphur dioxide levels in the Environmental Protection Policy?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 March 2006
Responded by
Minister for Education and Training representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
103 days
The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: The following information is correct as at 16 January 2006. (1) The officer was relaying concerns he had received from sections of the community. (2) Not applicable. (3) I would not expect the public to tolerate noise, dust and vibration levels above the standards as set by legislation. The expansion of the Superpit will be subject to the environmental approvals process which will consider community concerns regarding potential impacts on the community and the environment. (4-5) Not applicable. (6) In the Goldfields the sulphur dioxide limit set in the Environmental Protection Policy is set in licence conditions. The penalty for breaching a licence condition is a maximum of $125 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $25 000. (7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
The following information is correct as at 16 January 2006. (1) The officer was relaying concerns he had received from sections of the community. (2) Not applicable. (3) I would not expect the public to tolerate noise, dust and vibration levels above the standards as set by legislation. The expansion of the Superpit will be subject to the environmental approvals process which will consider community concerns regarding potential impacts on the community and the environment. (4-5) Not applicable. (6) In the Goldfields the sulphur dioxide limit set in the Environmental Protection Policy is set in licence conditions. The penalty for breaching a licence condition is a maximum of $125 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $25 000. (7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(1) The officer was relaying concerns he had received from sections of the community. (2) Not applicable. (3) I would not expect the public to tolerate noise, dust and vibration levels above the standards as set by legislation. The expansion of the Superpit will be subject to the environmental approvals process which will consider community concerns regarding potential impacts on the community and the environment. (4-5) Not applicable. (6) In the Goldfields the sulphur dioxide limit set in the Environmental Protection Policy is set in licence conditions. The penalty for breaching a licence condition is a maximum of $125 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $25 000. (7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) I would not expect the public to tolerate noise, dust and vibration levels above the standards as set by legislation. The expansion of the Superpit will be subject to the environmental approvals process which will consider community concerns regarding potential impacts on the community and the environment. (4-5) Not applicable. (6) In the Goldfields the sulphur dioxide limit set in the Environmental Protection Policy is set in licence conditions. The penalty for breaching a licence condition is a maximum of $125 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $25 000. (7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(3) I would not expect the public to tolerate noise, dust and vibration levels above the standards as set by legislation. The expansion of the Superpit will be subject to the environmental approvals process which will consider community concerns regarding potential impacts on the community and the environment. (4-5) Not applicable. (6) In the Goldfields the sulphur dioxide limit set in the Environmental Protection Policy is set in licence conditions. The penalty for breaching a licence condition is a maximum of $125 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $25 000. (7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(4-5) Not applicable. (6) In the Goldfields the sulphur dioxide limit set in the Environmental Protection Policy is set in licence conditions. The penalty for breaching a licence condition is a maximum of $125 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $25 000. (7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(6) In the Goldfields the sulphur dioxide limit set in the Environmental Protection Policy is set in licence conditions. The penalty for breaching a licence condition is a maximum of $125 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $25 000. (7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(11) Not applicable.
The following information is correct as at 16 January 2006. (1) The officer was relaying concerns he had received from sections of the community. (2) Not applicable. (3) I would not expect the public to tolerate noise, dust and vibration levels above the standards as set by legislation. The expansion of the Superpit will be subject to the environmental approvals process which will consider community concerns regarding potential impacts on the community and the environment. (4-5) Not applicable. (6) In the Goldfields the sulphur dioxide limit set in the Environmental Protection Policy is set in licence conditions. The penalty for breaching a licence condition is a maximum of $125 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $25 000. (7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(1) The officer was relaying concerns he had received from sections of the community. (2) Not applicable. (3) I would not expect the public to tolerate noise, dust and vibration levels above the standards as set by legislation. The expansion of the Superpit will be subject to the environmental approvals process which will consider community concerns regarding potential impacts on the community and the environment. (4-5) Not applicable. (6) In the Goldfields the sulphur dioxide limit set in the Environmental Protection Policy is set in licence conditions. The penalty for breaching a licence condition is a maximum of $125 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $25 000. (7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) I would not expect the public to tolerate noise, dust and vibration levels above the standards as set by legislation. The expansion of the Superpit will be subject to the environmental approvals process which will consider community concerns regarding potential impacts on the community and the environment. (4-5) Not applicable. (6) In the Goldfields the sulphur dioxide limit set in the Environmental Protection Policy is set in licence conditions. The penalty for breaching a licence condition is a maximum of $125 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $25 000. (7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(3) I would not expect the public to tolerate noise, dust and vibration levels above the standards as set by legislation. The expansion of the Superpit will be subject to the environmental approvals process which will consider community concerns regarding potential impacts on the community and the environment. (4-5) Not applicable. (6) In the Goldfields the sulphur dioxide limit set in the Environmental Protection Policy is set in licence conditions. The penalty for breaching a licence condition is a maximum of $125 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $25 000. (7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(4-5) Not applicable. (6) In the Goldfields the sulphur dioxide limit set in the Environmental Protection Policy is set in licence conditions. The penalty for breaching a licence condition is a maximum of $125 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $25 000. (7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(6) In the Goldfields the sulphur dioxide limit set in the Environmental Protection Policy is set in licence conditions. The penalty for breaching a licence condition is a maximum of $125 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $25 000. (7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(7) Not applicable. (8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(8) I cannot comment on the blast by KCGM on Good Friday as the matter is currently under investigation. However penalties for breaches relating to Ministerial Conditions can be up to $250 000 for a body corporate or a daily penalty of up to $50 000. (9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(9) Not applicable. (10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(10) This matter is currently under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment. (11) Not applicable.
(11) Not applicable.
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