❓ A parliamentary question regarding hazardous waste management in WA, specifically concerning the Total Waste Management plant in Kalgoorlie and the Brookdale waste plant closure, alongside the timeline for establishing new hazardous waste precincts.
AnsweredQoN 433Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the draft site selection criteria of the core consultative committee on waste management for the identification of potential sites to establish a hazardous waste precinct in Western Australia. (1) How can the minister justify sending hazardous waste to be treated at the Total Waste Management Pty Ltd plant in Kalgoorlie-Boulder when it was unacceptable at the Brookdale waste plant? (2) When does the minister expect nominations of potential sites to be received, and will these be made public? (3) Will the minister concede that the 3C process will not deliver a new hazardous waste precinct until 2007, well after the next election? Dr J.M. EDWARDS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for that question. (1)-(3) First, the member needs to be careful to not confuse the 3C process for the establishment of a new hazardous waste precinct or precincts - I believe there will probably be precincts, rather than one single precinct - and what happens at the Total Waste Management plant in Kalgoorlie. The Total Waste Management plant was opened in 2000, with a very nice photograph of the then Minister for the Environment and member for Kingsley. Indeed, I think the member for Kalgoorlie was at the opening. Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
(1) How can the minister justify sending hazardous waste to be treated at the Total Waste Management Pty Ltd plant in Kalgoorlie-Boulder when it was unacceptable at the Brookdale waste plant? (2) When does the minister expect nominations of potential sites to be received, and will these be made public? (3) Will the minister concede that the 3C process will not deliver a new hazardous waste precinct until 2007, well after the next election? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)-(3) First, the member needs to be careful to not confuse the 3C process for the establishment of a new hazardous waste precinct or precincts - I believe there will probably be precincts, rather than one single precinct - and what happens at the Total Waste Management plant in Kalgoorlie. The Total Waste Management plant was opened in 2000, with a very nice photograph of the then Minister for the Environment and member for Kingsley. Indeed, I think the member for Kalgoorlie was at the opening. Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
(2) When does the minister expect nominations of potential sites to be received, and will these be made public? (3) Will the minister concede that the 3C process will not deliver a new hazardous waste precinct until 2007, well after the next election? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)-(3) First, the member needs to be careful to not confuse the 3C process for the establishment of a new hazardous waste precinct or precincts - I believe there will probably be precincts, rather than one single precinct - and what happens at the Total Waste Management plant in Kalgoorlie. The Total Waste Management plant was opened in 2000, with a very nice photograph of the then Minister for the Environment and member for Kingsley. Indeed, I think the member for Kalgoorlie was at the opening. Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
(3) Will the minister concede that the 3C process will not deliver a new hazardous waste precinct until 2007, well after the next election? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)-(3) First, the member needs to be careful to not confuse the 3C process for the establishment of a new hazardous waste precinct or precincts - I believe there will probably be precincts, rather than one single precinct - and what happens at the Total Waste Management plant in Kalgoorlie. The Total Waste Management plant was opened in 2000, with a very nice photograph of the then Minister for the Environment and member for Kingsley. Indeed, I think the member for Kalgoorlie was at the opening. Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)-(3) First, the member needs to be careful to not confuse the 3C process for the establishment of a new hazardous waste precinct or precincts - I believe there will probably be precincts, rather than one single precinct - and what happens at the Total Waste Management plant in Kalgoorlie. The Total Waste Management plant was opened in 2000, with a very nice photograph of the then Minister for the Environment and member for Kingsley. Indeed, I think the member for Kalgoorlie was at the opening. Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
I thank the member for that question. (1)-(3) First, the member needs to be careful to not confuse the 3C process for the establishment of a new hazardous waste precinct or precincts - I believe there will probably be precincts, rather than one single precinct - and what happens at the Total Waste Management plant in Kalgoorlie. The Total Waste Management plant was opened in 2000, with a very nice photograph of the then Minister for the Environment and member for Kingsley. Indeed, I think the member for Kalgoorlie was at the opening. Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
(1)-(3) First, the member needs to be careful to not confuse the 3C process for the establishment of a new hazardous waste precinct or precincts - I believe there will probably be precincts, rather than one single precinct - and what happens at the Total Waste Management plant in Kalgoorlie. The Total Waste Management plant was opened in 2000, with a very nice photograph of the then Minister for the Environment and member for Kingsley. Indeed, I think the member for Kalgoorlie was at the opening. Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
(1) How can the minister justify sending hazardous waste to be treated at the Total Waste Management Pty Ltd plant in Kalgoorlie-Boulder when it was unacceptable at the Brookdale waste plant? (2) When does the minister expect nominations of potential sites to be received, and will these be made public? (3) Will the minister concede that the 3C process will not deliver a new hazardous waste precinct until 2007, well after the next election? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)-(3) First, the member needs to be careful to not confuse the 3C process for the establishment of a new hazardous waste precinct or precincts - I believe there will probably be precincts, rather than one single precinct - and what happens at the Total Waste Management plant in Kalgoorlie. The Total Waste Management plant was opened in 2000, with a very nice photograph of the then Minister for the Environment and member for Kingsley. Indeed, I think the member for Kalgoorlie was at the opening. Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
(2) When does the minister expect nominations of potential sites to be received, and will these be made public? (3) Will the minister concede that the 3C process will not deliver a new hazardous waste precinct until 2007, well after the next election? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)-(3) First, the member needs to be careful to not confuse the 3C process for the establishment of a new hazardous waste precinct or precincts - I believe there will probably be precincts, rather than one single precinct - and what happens at the Total Waste Management plant in Kalgoorlie. The Total Waste Management plant was opened in 2000, with a very nice photograph of the then Minister for the Environment and member for Kingsley. Indeed, I think the member for Kalgoorlie was at the opening. Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
(3) Will the minister concede that the 3C process will not deliver a new hazardous waste precinct until 2007, well after the next election? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)-(3) First, the member needs to be careful to not confuse the 3C process for the establishment of a new hazardous waste precinct or precincts - I believe there will probably be precincts, rather than one single precinct - and what happens at the Total Waste Management plant in Kalgoorlie. The Total Waste Management plant was opened in 2000, with a very nice photograph of the then Minister for the Environment and member for Kingsley. Indeed, I think the member for Kalgoorlie was at the opening. Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)-(3) First, the member needs to be careful to not confuse the 3C process for the establishment of a new hazardous waste precinct or precincts - I believe there will probably be precincts, rather than one single precinct - and what happens at the Total Waste Management plant in Kalgoorlie. The Total Waste Management plant was opened in 2000, with a very nice photograph of the then Minister for the Environment and member for Kingsley. Indeed, I think the member for Kalgoorlie was at the opening. Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
I thank the member for that question. (1)-(3) First, the member needs to be careful to not confuse the 3C process for the establishment of a new hazardous waste precinct or precincts - I believe there will probably be precincts, rather than one single precinct - and what happens at the Total Waste Management plant in Kalgoorlie. The Total Waste Management plant was opened in 2000, with a very nice photograph of the then Minister for the Environment and member for Kingsley. Indeed, I think the member for Kalgoorlie was at the opening. Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
(1)-(3) First, the member needs to be careful to not confuse the 3C process for the establishment of a new hazardous waste precinct or precincts - I believe there will probably be precincts, rather than one single precinct - and what happens at the Total Waste Management plant in Kalgoorlie. The Total Waste Management plant was opened in 2000, with a very nice photograph of the then Minister for the Environment and member for Kingsley. Indeed, I think the member for Kalgoorlie was at the opening. Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
Mr M.J. Birney: Why was it taking Brookdale waste? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: It may not have been taking Brookdale waste then, but it certainly was issued by the then Government with a licence that covered all the things that were going to Brookdale. The licences were very similar. Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
Mr M.J. Birney: Why did you close Brookdale? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: When we came to government, the first big thing that happened was the worst chemical fire in Australia’s history at Bellevue. As a result of that, the fire water that contained hazardous waste needed to be sent somewhere, and it was sent to Brookdale. I was informed that it was going to Brookdale in breach of the ministerial conditions for that site. The previous Government had known about that since 1999. Waste management has a long history. For the sake of the member’s own party, it would be better if he did not go digging into it, because it would reveal problems for his party. Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
Mr M.J. Birney: Why is the Kalgoorlie plant taking Brookdale waste after you closed down Brookdale? Are the people of Kalgoorlie second-class citizens? Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: The licence that enables the plant in Kalgoorlie to take the waste is the same as the licence that was issued in 2000. With regard to the 3C process, we have set up a process under which we are working carefully to establish where the next hazardous waste precinct should be sited. It is a hazardous waste precinct. Indeed, we had discussions on Monday with the 3Cs group that is overseeing that, and pointed out that it is not TWM, Kalgoorlie; it is hazardous waste. As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
As was detailed in this Parliament last year, I think, it is a long process; it needs to be a long process. It has taken the group six months and two big public forums to come up with draft criteria. They will go to Cabinet shortly. After that, a briefing will be offered to Parliament, as is part of the process. At some later stage, after geographical information system and other work has been done, sites will be selected. However, again, there will be public consultation. Finally, an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of the final site will be needed. Of necessity, that will take some more time.
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