❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding sulphur dioxide pollution from KCGM in Kalgoorlie during the late 1980s, referencing historical briefing notes and pollution abatement notices. The Minister's response indicates no Pollution Abatement Notices were issued to KCGM during the specified period.
AnsweredQoN 4708Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to briefing notes for the Minister for the Environment which I understand maybe dated 29 May 1989, signed by Peter Brown Cooper titled ‘Kalgoorlie Sulphur Dioxide Pollution Problem’, briefing notes to the Minister for Environment signed by B A Carbon, Chief Executive Officer dated 25 July 1989 titled ‘Pollution Abatement Notice served on Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd.’ (KCGM) and to the breach as referred to in question on notice number 2583, of 1 September 2005, and I ask -
(1) Is it correct that the briefing note to the Minister for the Environment dated 29 May 1989, in part states ‘Significant sulphur dioxide problems have been experienced at Kalgoorlie over the last decade associated with the operation of gold roasters and a nickel smelter’?
(2) If no to (1), will the Minister quote the full text from this briefing note dated 29 May 1989?
(3) Can the Minister advise why the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) stated in briefing notes dated 25 July 1989 in part the following, ‘Two very severe fumigation events occurred within two months and these were very likely associated with increased throughput on the roasters. The EPA is concerned about all pollution events capable of causing very high short-term concentrations, not just those which cause an exceedence of the three hour average licence limit. There were four morning events in June 1989 which exceeded the Environmental Protection Policy one hour objective of 2000 micrograms per cubic metre. Events such as those of 3 May and 22 June should not be allowed to occur under any circumstances.’?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister advise why the EPA stated in the briefing notes to the Minister dated 25 July 1989 the following ‘The Pollution abatement notice does not protect the operation of existing gold roasting industries as is required by the Environmental Protection Policy for Kalgoorlie/Boulder. The Pollution abatement notice was issued as an emergency response to the company’s failure to comply with the Environmental Protection Policy that relates to the protection of residents within the Kalgoorlie/Boulder area. The responsibility for delays in establishing revised conditions for the Pollution Abatement Notice, which would allow the roasters to operate under safe conditions, lies with the company.’?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Can the Minister advise how many Pollution Abatement Notices were issued to KCGM including companies all associated and linked with KCGM in the years 1988 to 1990?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(1) Is it correct that the briefing note to the Minister for the Environment dated 29 May 1989, in part states ‘Significant sulphur dioxide problems have been experienced at Kalgoorlie over the last decade associated with the operation of gold roasters and a nickel smelter’?
(2) If no to (1), will the Minister quote the full text from this briefing note dated 29 May 1989?
(3) Can the Minister advise why the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) stated in briefing notes dated 25 July 1989 in part the following, ‘Two very severe fumigation events occurred within two months and these were very likely associated with increased throughput on the roasters. The EPA is concerned about all pollution events capable of causing very high short-term concentrations, not just those which cause an exceedence of the three hour average licence limit. There were four morning events in June 1989 which exceeded the Environmental Protection Policy one hour objective of 2000 micrograms per cubic metre. Events such as those of 3 May and 22 June should not be allowed to occur under any circumstances.’?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister advise why the EPA stated in the briefing notes to the Minister dated 25 July 1989 the following ‘The Pollution abatement notice does not protect the operation of existing gold roasting industries as is required by the Environmental Protection Policy for Kalgoorlie/Boulder. The Pollution abatement notice was issued as an emergency response to the company’s failure to comply with the Environmental Protection Policy that relates to the protection of residents within the Kalgoorlie/Boulder area. The responsibility for delays in establishing revised conditions for the Pollution Abatement Notice, which would allow the roasters to operate under safe conditions, lies with the company.’?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Can the Minister advise how many Pollution Abatement Notices were issued to KCGM including companies all associated and linked with KCGM in the years 1988 to 1990?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
29 May 2007
Responded by
Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
56 days
(2) Not applicable. (3) See the answer to (1). (4) Not applicable. (5) See the answer to (1). (6) Not applicable. (7) Database records indicate that no Pollution Abatement Notices were issued to KCGM in that period. (8) Not applicable.
(3) See the answer to (1). (4) Not applicable. (5) See the answer to (1). (6) Not applicable. (7) Database records indicate that no Pollution Abatement Notices were issued to KCGM in that period. (8) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) See the answer to (1). (6) Not applicable. (7) Database records indicate that no Pollution Abatement Notices were issued to KCGM in that period. (8) Not applicable.
(5) See the answer to (1). (6) Not applicable. (7) Database records indicate that no Pollution Abatement Notices were issued to KCGM in that period. (8) Not applicable.
(6) Not applicable. (7) Database records indicate that no Pollution Abatement Notices were issued to KCGM in that period. (8) Not applicable.
(7) Database records indicate that no Pollution Abatement Notices were issued to KCGM in that period. (8) Not applicable.
(8) Not applicable.
(3) See the answer to (1). (4) Not applicable. (5) See the answer to (1). (6) Not applicable. (7) Database records indicate that no Pollution Abatement Notices were issued to KCGM in that period. (8) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) See the answer to (1). (6) Not applicable. (7) Database records indicate that no Pollution Abatement Notices were issued to KCGM in that period. (8) Not applicable.
(5) See the answer to (1). (6) Not applicable. (7) Database records indicate that no Pollution Abatement Notices were issued to KCGM in that period. (8) Not applicable.
(6) Not applicable. (7) Database records indicate that no Pollution Abatement Notices were issued to KCGM in that period. (8) Not applicable.
(7) Database records indicate that no Pollution Abatement Notices were issued to KCGM in that period. (8) Not applicable.
(8) Not applicable.
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