❓ Hon Paul Llewellyn questions the DoE's regulation of KCGM's tailings dams regarding vegetation stress and pollution, citing historical reports and correspondence. The Minister responds that past concerns were addressed, but current evidence of adverse environmental impacts is lacking, inviting further evidence.
AnsweredQoN 3214Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Cooke Review dated January 15 2004, the Thompson and Brett Report dated October 12 2004, question on notice No. 1334 of May 2 1995, the ‘Technical Review Tailings dams’ report dated June 17 1994, and a letter dated October 15 1996, titled ‘Saline Ground Water and Vegetation stress’ signed by Andrew Baker, Director Pollution Prevention Division, Department of Environmental Protection addressed to Mr Bob Crew, General Manager, Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd (KCGM) -
(1) Can the Minister explain why the Department of Environment (DoE) wrote to KCGM on October 15 1996, stating ‘In the course of reviewing claims by a neighbouring leaseholder, it has come to our attention that there is vegetation under stress and apparently dying in the area of land between your mining operations and the Fimiston II tailings storage facility. The area contains the Australian National reserve, your own leases and leases owned by others. It is effectively bounded to the north by Bulong Road and on each side by Fimiston II TSF and your major operating area respectively, including Fimiston I TSF in the North and Oroya TSF in the South’?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Can the Minister explain why the DoE wrote to KCGM on October 15 1996, stating ‘I am aware that you have recently commissioned reclamation bores in the northern portion of the area, but I am very concerned that vegetation stress leading to deaths of the canopy vegetation of eucalypts, casuarinas and the like is still occurring. Once again in the absence of any other explanation, rising saline ground water levels would appear to be the cause’?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister explain how the public can have any confidence in the DoE’s ability to diligently, objectively regulate the Fimiston I and Fimiston II tailings dams, given that for over 12 years KCGM has been clearly stressing and killing vegetation, causing pollution in the area and the Department has on many occasions has chosen not to take any serious enforcement action structured in such a way to permanently prevent ongoing environmental damage from occurring?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(1) Can the Minister explain why the Department of Environment (DoE) wrote to KCGM on October 15 1996, stating ‘In the course of reviewing claims by a neighbouring leaseholder, it has come to our attention that there is vegetation under stress and apparently dying in the area of land between your mining operations and the Fimiston II tailings storage facility. The area contains the Australian National reserve, your own leases and leases owned by others. It is effectively bounded to the north by Bulong Road and on each side by Fimiston II TSF and your major operating area respectively, including Fimiston I TSF in the North and Oroya TSF in the South’?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Can the Minister explain why the DoE wrote to KCGM on October 15 1996, stating ‘I am aware that you have recently commissioned reclamation bores in the northern portion of the area, but I am very concerned that vegetation stress leading to deaths of the canopy vegetation of eucalypts, casuarinas and the like is still occurring. Once again in the absence of any other explanation, rising saline ground water levels would appear to be the cause’?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister explain how the public can have any confidence in the DoE’s ability to diligently, objectively regulate the Fimiston I and Fimiston II tailings dams, given that for over 12 years KCGM has been clearly stressing and killing vegetation, causing pollution in the area and the Department has on many occasions has chosen not to take any serious enforcement action structured in such a way to permanently prevent ongoing environmental damage from occurring?
(6) If no to (5), 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) Allegations had been made to the Department of Environment (then the Department of Environmental Protection) about the impact of rising water levels in these areas resulting from seepage of the Fimiston I and Fimiston II tailings storage facilities. When reviewing this allegation the DoE officers considered that the claims were valid and required action by KCGM. (2) Not applicable. (3) As per (1). (4) Not applicable. (5) Whilst there may be some indication in the past of stress on vegetation, there is no evidence to suggest that this is currently the case and as a result there are no active investigations into KCGM with respect to seepage, and/or vegetation stress or death surrounding the Fimiston I and II tailings storage facilities. The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
The following information is correct as at 16 January 2006. (1) Allegations had been made to the Department of Environment (then the Department of Environmental Protection) about the impact of rising water levels in these areas resulting from seepage of the Fimiston I and Fimiston II tailings storage facilities. When reviewing this allegation the DoE officers considered that the claims were valid and required action by KCGM. (2) Not applicable. (3) As per (1). (4) Not applicable. (5) Whilst there may be some indication in the past of stress on vegetation, there is no evidence to suggest that this is currently the case and as a result there are no active investigations into KCGM with respect to seepage, and/or vegetation stress or death surrounding the Fimiston I and II tailings storage facilities. The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
(1) Allegations had been made to the Department of Environment (then the Department of Environmental Protection) about the impact of rising water levels in these areas resulting from seepage of the Fimiston I and Fimiston II tailings storage facilities. When reviewing this allegation the DoE officers considered that the claims were valid and required action by KCGM. (2) Not applicable. (3) As per (1). (4) Not applicable. (5) Whilst there may be some indication in the past of stress on vegetation, there is no evidence to suggest that this is currently the case and as a result there are no active investigations into KCGM with respect to seepage, and/or vegetation stress or death surrounding the Fimiston I and II tailings storage facilities. The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) As per (1). (4) Not applicable. (5) Whilst there may be some indication in the past of stress on vegetation, there is no evidence to suggest that this is currently the case and as a result there are no active investigations into KCGM with respect to seepage, and/or vegetation stress or death surrounding the Fimiston I and II tailings storage facilities. The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
(3) As per (1). (4) Not applicable. (5) Whilst there may be some indication in the past of stress on vegetation, there is no evidence to suggest that this is currently the case and as a result there are no active investigations into KCGM with respect to seepage, and/or vegetation stress or death surrounding the Fimiston I and II tailings storage facilities. The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) Whilst there may be some indication in the past of stress on vegetation, there is no evidence to suggest that this is currently the case and as a result there are no active investigations into KCGM with respect to seepage, and/or vegetation stress or death surrounding the Fimiston I and II tailings storage facilities. The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
(5) Whilst there may be some indication in the past of stress on vegetation, there is no evidence to suggest that this is currently the case and as a result there are no active investigations into KCGM with respect to seepage, and/or vegetation stress or death surrounding the Fimiston I and II tailings storage facilities. The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
(6) Not applicable.
The following information is correct as at 16 January 2006. (1) Allegations had been made to the Department of Environment (then the Department of Environmental Protection) about the impact of rising water levels in these areas resulting from seepage of the Fimiston I and Fimiston II tailings storage facilities. When reviewing this allegation the DoE officers considered that the claims were valid and required action by KCGM. (2) Not applicable. (3) As per (1). (4) Not applicable. (5) Whilst there may be some indication in the past of stress on vegetation, there is no evidence to suggest that this is currently the case and as a result there are no active investigations into KCGM with respect to seepage, and/or vegetation stress or death surrounding the Fimiston I and II tailings storage facilities. The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
(1) Allegations had been made to the Department of Environment (then the Department of Environmental Protection) about the impact of rising water levels in these areas resulting from seepage of the Fimiston I and Fimiston II tailings storage facilities. When reviewing this allegation the DoE officers considered that the claims were valid and required action by KCGM. (2) Not applicable. (3) As per (1). (4) Not applicable. (5) Whilst there may be some indication in the past of stress on vegetation, there is no evidence to suggest that this is currently the case and as a result there are no active investigations into KCGM with respect to seepage, and/or vegetation stress or death surrounding the Fimiston I and II tailings storage facilities. The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) As per (1). (4) Not applicable. (5) Whilst there may be some indication in the past of stress on vegetation, there is no evidence to suggest that this is currently the case and as a result there are no active investigations into KCGM with respect to seepage, and/or vegetation stress or death surrounding the Fimiston I and II tailings storage facilities. The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
(3) As per (1). (4) Not applicable. (5) Whilst there may be some indication in the past of stress on vegetation, there is no evidence to suggest that this is currently the case and as a result there are no active investigations into KCGM with respect to seepage, and/or vegetation stress or death surrounding the Fimiston I and II tailings storage facilities. The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) Whilst there may be some indication in the past of stress on vegetation, there is no evidence to suggest that this is currently the case and as a result there are no active investigations into KCGM with respect to seepage, and/or vegetation stress or death surrounding the Fimiston I and II tailings storage facilities. The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
(5) Whilst there may be some indication in the past of stress on vegetation, there is no evidence to suggest that this is currently the case and as a result there are no active investigations into KCGM with respect to seepage, and/or vegetation stress or death surrounding the Fimiston I and II tailings storage facilities. The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
The DoE has repeatedly requested further information from complainants and has attempted on numerous occasions to organise site visits with complainants including inviting staff from its Native Vegetation Protection Section in Perth to attend. To date, the DoE has been unsuccessful in attaining any evidence that seepage is causing adverse environmental impacts in the area surrounding KCGM's Tailings Storage Facilities or in organising a site visit with the complainant to identify where vegetation stress is occurring. The offer of a joint site visit remains open to complainants. (6) Not applicable.
(6) Not applicable.
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