❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses vegetation deaths in the Tutunup Threatened Ecological Community near a Cable Sands mine. The Minister's response indicates ongoing investigation, potential water shortage as a cause, and delayed documentation due to complexity.
AnsweredQoN 3416Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question without notice No. 839 of 11 September 2005, relating to vegetation deaths in the Tutunup Threatened Ecological Community next to Cable Sands (WA) Pty Ltd’s mine site and note that it is now more than twelve months since the Hon Chrissie Sharp first raised this issue -
(1) Has the cause of the vegetation deaths in this critically endangered ecological community been determined?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), will the Minister table the relevant documents?
(4) Has the ‘appropriate documentation’ mentioned by the Minister in answering part (4) of Question No. 839 been completed and collated?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) If yes to (4), when will the Minister table the said documentation?
(1) Has the cause of the vegetation deaths in this critically endangered ecological community been determined?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), will the Minister table the relevant documents?
(4) Has the ‘appropriate documentation’ mentioned by the Minister in answering part (4) of Question No. 839 been completed and collated?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) If yes to (4), when will the Minister table the said documentation?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 June 2006
Responded by
Minister for Education and Training representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
42 days
(2) The Department of Environment (DoE), Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) and Bemax Resources NL (previously Cable Sands (WA) Pty Ltd) have been working cooperatively to identify the cause of plant deaths within the critically endangered ecological community next to the company's Tutunup mine. Investigations to date suggest that the vegetation may have died from a shortage of water. A review of the groundwater artificial recharge system has been carried out by an independent consultant but is inconclusive. CALM is further evaluating all of the information gathered to determine if a consensus can be reached with DoE and Bemax on the probable cause of vegetation deaths. (3) The suite of related reports is not yet complete, and will be tabled after the investigation has reached a conclusion. This is anticipated to be later this year. (4) The documentation is being completed and will be tabled as stated in the answer to (3) above. (5) Not applicable. (6) The timing of the tabling of the documentation will be determined by the conclusion of the investigation process. CALM and DoE will decide, in consultation with Bemax, if any additional seasonal assessments are required to test the longer term effects of mining. Previous estimates of the time required to fully investigate the deaths may have underestimated the complexity of the situation and I do not want to constrain the process with an immediate timeframe. The Member can be assured that CALM and DoE will thoroughly investigate this matter and fully report on it as soon as possible.
(3) The suite of related reports is not yet complete, and will be tabled after the investigation has reached a conclusion. This is anticipated to be later this year. (4) The documentation is being completed and will be tabled as stated in the answer to (3) above. (5) Not applicable. (6) The timing of the tabling of the documentation will be determined by the conclusion of the investigation process. CALM and DoE will decide, in consultation with Bemax, if any additional seasonal assessments are required to test the longer term effects of mining. Previous estimates of the time required to fully investigate the deaths may have underestimated the complexity of the situation and I do not want to constrain the process with an immediate timeframe. The Member can be assured that CALM and DoE will thoroughly investigate this matter and fully report on it as soon as possible.
(4) The documentation is being completed and will be tabled as stated in the answer to (3) above. (5) Not applicable. (6) The timing of the tabling of the documentation will be determined by the conclusion of the investigation process. CALM and DoE will decide, in consultation with Bemax, if any additional seasonal assessments are required to test the longer term effects of mining. Previous estimates of the time required to fully investigate the deaths may have underestimated the complexity of the situation and I do not want to constrain the process with an immediate timeframe. The Member can be assured that CALM and DoE will thoroughly investigate this matter and fully report on it as soon as possible.
(5) Not applicable. (6) The timing of the tabling of the documentation will be determined by the conclusion of the investigation process. CALM and DoE will decide, in consultation with Bemax, if any additional seasonal assessments are required to test the longer term effects of mining. Previous estimates of the time required to fully investigate the deaths may have underestimated the complexity of the situation and I do not want to constrain the process with an immediate timeframe. The Member can be assured that CALM and DoE will thoroughly investigate this matter and fully report on it as soon as possible.
(6) The timing of the tabling of the documentation will be determined by the conclusion of the investigation process. CALM and DoE will decide, in consultation with Bemax, if any additional seasonal assessments are required to test the longer term effects of mining. Previous estimates of the time required to fully investigate the deaths may have underestimated the complexity of the situation and I do not want to constrain the process with an immediate timeframe. The Member can be assured that CALM and DoE will thoroughly investigate this matter and fully report on it as soon as possible.
(3) The suite of related reports is not yet complete, and will be tabled after the investigation has reached a conclusion. This is anticipated to be later this year. (4) The documentation is being completed and will be tabled as stated in the answer to (3) above. (5) Not applicable. (6) The timing of the tabling of the documentation will be determined by the conclusion of the investigation process. CALM and DoE will decide, in consultation with Bemax, if any additional seasonal assessments are required to test the longer term effects of mining. Previous estimates of the time required to fully investigate the deaths may have underestimated the complexity of the situation and I do not want to constrain the process with an immediate timeframe. The Member can be assured that CALM and DoE will thoroughly investigate this matter and fully report on it as soon as possible.
(4) The documentation is being completed and will be tabled as stated in the answer to (3) above. (5) Not applicable. (6) The timing of the tabling of the documentation will be determined by the conclusion of the investigation process. CALM and DoE will decide, in consultation with Bemax, if any additional seasonal assessments are required to test the longer term effects of mining. Previous estimates of the time required to fully investigate the deaths may have underestimated the complexity of the situation and I do not want to constrain the process with an immediate timeframe. The Member can be assured that CALM and DoE will thoroughly investigate this matter and fully report on it as soon as possible.
(5) Not applicable. (6) The timing of the tabling of the documentation will be determined by the conclusion of the investigation process. CALM and DoE will decide, in consultation with Bemax, if any additional seasonal assessments are required to test the longer term effects of mining. Previous estimates of the time required to fully investigate the deaths may have underestimated the complexity of the situation and I do not want to constrain the process with an immediate timeframe. The Member can be assured that CALM and DoE will thoroughly investigate this matter and fully report on it as soon as possible.
(6) The timing of the tabling of the documentation will be determined by the conclusion of the investigation process. CALM and DoE will decide, in consultation with Bemax, if any additional seasonal assessments are required to test the longer term effects of mining. Previous estimates of the time required to fully investigate the deaths may have underestimated the complexity of the situation and I do not want to constrain the process with an immediate timeframe. The Member can be assured that CALM and DoE will thoroughly investigate this matter and fully report on it as soon as possible.
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