❓ Hon Giz Watson questions the environmental assessment process of Burrup Fertilisers, specifically regarding the consideration of the Oswal group's environmental record in India. The Minister's response reveals a site visit to India, but the report is missing.
AnsweredQoN 3947Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With reference to the Burrup Fertilisers on the Burrup Peninsula and the assessment and approvals process, I ask -
(1) Did the State Government investigate the environmental history of Oswal group's fertiliser plants in India?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Is the Minister aware that the Managing Director of the plant in the Pilbara was involved in the construction the two Indian plants?
(4) If yes to (3), was the State Government aware that the plant in Orissa, India, has been connected to a string of environmental disasters?
(5) Was a delegate sent to India at any time to review the performance and practices of these plants operating in India?
(6) If yes to (5), who was this person and what Department was involved?
(7) If yes to (5), will the Minister table a copy of the report from such a visit?
(1) Did the State Government investigate the environmental history of Oswal group's fertiliser plants in India?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Is the Minister aware that the Managing Director of the plant in the Pilbara was involved in the construction the two Indian plants?
(4) If yes to (3), was the State Government aware that the plant in Orissa, India, has been connected to a string of environmental disasters?
(5) Was a delegate sent to India at any time to review the performance and practices of these plants operating in India?
(6) If yes to (5), who was this person and what Department was involved?
(7) If yes to (5), will the Minister table a copy of the report from such a visit?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
28 September 2006
Responded by
Minister for Education and Training representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
37 days
1. No, as the Burrup Fertilisers plant on the Burrup Peninsula was assessed on the basis of the State's environmental procedures and standards. 2. Refer to response to Question 1. 3. No. 4. N/A. 5. Yes. 6. A former Manager of the Industrial Assessments Branch in the Environmental Protection Authority Service Unit of the then Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) went to India to gain an understanding of the operation of these plants and environmental management issues. This was undertaken while the EPA was assessing the proposed Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd Ammonia Plant on the Burrup Peninsula. 7. The officer who made the visit has since resigned from the Department and the Department has not been able to locate a report on the visit. However, the Department has advised that the following matters identified during the visit were addressed in the EPA's assessment of the project. - the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
2. Refer to response to Question 1. 3. No. 4. N/A. 5. Yes. 6. A former Manager of the Industrial Assessments Branch in the Environmental Protection Authority Service Unit of the then Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) went to India to gain an understanding of the operation of these plants and environmental management issues. This was undertaken while the EPA was assessing the proposed Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd Ammonia Plant on the Burrup Peninsula. 7. The officer who made the visit has since resigned from the Department and the Department has not been able to locate a report on the visit. However, the Department has advised that the following matters identified during the visit were addressed in the EPA's assessment of the project. - the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
3. No. 4. N/A. 5. Yes. 6. A former Manager of the Industrial Assessments Branch in the Environmental Protection Authority Service Unit of the then Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) went to India to gain an understanding of the operation of these plants and environmental management issues. This was undertaken while the EPA was assessing the proposed Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd Ammonia Plant on the Burrup Peninsula. 7. The officer who made the visit has since resigned from the Department and the Department has not been able to locate a report on the visit. However, the Department has advised that the following matters identified during the visit were addressed in the EPA's assessment of the project. - the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
4. N/A. 5. Yes. 6. A former Manager of the Industrial Assessments Branch in the Environmental Protection Authority Service Unit of the then Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) went to India to gain an understanding of the operation of these plants and environmental management issues. This was undertaken while the EPA was assessing the proposed Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd Ammonia Plant on the Burrup Peninsula. 7. The officer who made the visit has since resigned from the Department and the Department has not been able to locate a report on the visit. However, the Department has advised that the following matters identified during the visit were addressed in the EPA's assessment of the project. - the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
5. Yes. 6. A former Manager of the Industrial Assessments Branch in the Environmental Protection Authority Service Unit of the then Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) went to India to gain an understanding of the operation of these plants and environmental management issues. This was undertaken while the EPA was assessing the proposed Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd Ammonia Plant on the Burrup Peninsula. 7. The officer who made the visit has since resigned from the Department and the Department has not been able to locate a report on the visit. However, the Department has advised that the following matters identified during the visit were addressed in the EPA's assessment of the project. - the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
6. A former Manager of the Industrial Assessments Branch in the Environmental Protection Authority Service Unit of the then Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) went to India to gain an understanding of the operation of these plants and environmental management issues. This was undertaken while the EPA was assessing the proposed Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd Ammonia Plant on the Burrup Peninsula. 7. The officer who made the visit has since resigned from the Department and the Department has not been able to locate a report on the visit. However, the Department has advised that the following matters identified during the visit were addressed in the EPA's assessment of the project. - the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
7. The officer who made the visit has since resigned from the Department and the Department has not been able to locate a report on the visit. However, the Department has advised that the following matters identified during the visit were addressed in the EPA's assessment of the project. - the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
- the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
- the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
- a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
- double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
2. Refer to response to Question 1. 3. No. 4. N/A. 5. Yes. 6. A former Manager of the Industrial Assessments Branch in the Environmental Protection Authority Service Unit of the then Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) went to India to gain an understanding of the operation of these plants and environmental management issues. This was undertaken while the EPA was assessing the proposed Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd Ammonia Plant on the Burrup Peninsula. 7. The officer who made the visit has since resigned from the Department and the Department has not been able to locate a report on the visit. However, the Department has advised that the following matters identified during the visit were addressed in the EPA's assessment of the project. - the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
3. No. 4. N/A. 5. Yes. 6. A former Manager of the Industrial Assessments Branch in the Environmental Protection Authority Service Unit of the then Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) went to India to gain an understanding of the operation of these plants and environmental management issues. This was undertaken while the EPA was assessing the proposed Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd Ammonia Plant on the Burrup Peninsula. 7. The officer who made the visit has since resigned from the Department and the Department has not been able to locate a report on the visit. However, the Department has advised that the following matters identified during the visit were addressed in the EPA's assessment of the project. - the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
4. N/A. 5. Yes. 6. A former Manager of the Industrial Assessments Branch in the Environmental Protection Authority Service Unit of the then Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) went to India to gain an understanding of the operation of these plants and environmental management issues. This was undertaken while the EPA was assessing the proposed Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd Ammonia Plant on the Burrup Peninsula. 7. The officer who made the visit has since resigned from the Department and the Department has not been able to locate a report on the visit. However, the Department has advised that the following matters identified during the visit were addressed in the EPA's assessment of the project. - the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
5. Yes. 6. A former Manager of the Industrial Assessments Branch in the Environmental Protection Authority Service Unit of the then Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) went to India to gain an understanding of the operation of these plants and environmental management issues. This was undertaken while the EPA was assessing the proposed Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd Ammonia Plant on the Burrup Peninsula. 7. The officer who made the visit has since resigned from the Department and the Department has not been able to locate a report on the visit. However, the Department has advised that the following matters identified during the visit were addressed in the EPA's assessment of the project. - the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
6. A former Manager of the Industrial Assessments Branch in the Environmental Protection Authority Service Unit of the then Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) went to India to gain an understanding of the operation of these plants and environmental management issues. This was undertaken while the EPA was assessing the proposed Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd Ammonia Plant on the Burrup Peninsula. 7. The officer who made the visit has since resigned from the Department and the Department has not been able to locate a report on the visit. However, the Department has advised that the following matters identified during the visit were addressed in the EPA's assessment of the project. - the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
7. The officer who made the visit has since resigned from the Department and the Department has not been able to locate a report on the visit. However, the Department has advised that the following matters identified during the visit were addressed in the EPA's assessment of the project. - the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
- the reuse in India of liquid waste containing ammonia for irrigation would not be acceptable in Western Australia; - the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
- the labour intensive mode of operation used in India to ensure safe running of the plant would not be suitable in Western Australia; - a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
- a comprehensive safety system would need to be built into the process design for the Western Australian plant; and - double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
- double containment would be required for ammonia storage in Western Australia. After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
After thorough examination of the proposal by the EPA, the Authority provided its report and recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment in December 2001 in Bulletin 1036 entitled 'Ammonia Plant, Burrup Peninsula'. The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
The then Minister for the Environment approved the proposal, and the environmental conditions, under which it is to operate in a statement published on the 20 February 2002.
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