❓ A parliamentary question regarding high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in the Karratha region, potentially linked to a leak from the Varanus Island facility or bushfires. The government denies a leak and attributes the issue to bushfire smoke.
AnsweredQoN 1352Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BUSHFIRE
SMOKE — KARRATHA
1352. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer to airborne nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter
2.5 clouds seen over Varanus Island using online satellite imaging showing
extremely high and dangerous concentrations since at least Friday, 27 October
2023, including spikes on Monday, 30 October 2023; Tuesday, 31 October 2023;
and Monday, 6 November 2023. I also refer to reports of thick smog and health
impacts coming from Karratha.
(1) Is the government aware of a major leak from the Varanus
Island facility?
(2) If yes to (1), what is being done to contain the leak?
(3) If no to
(1), what is the source of the high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and
PM2.5 that have been recorded in the area, including in Karratha, for over a week?
(4) What is
being done to ensure that the health impacts are minimised for residents of
Karratha, Dampier, Onslow, Roebourne, Port Hedland and any other communities
that may be impacted?
SMOKE — KARRATHA
1352. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer to airborne nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter
2.5 clouds seen over Varanus Island using online satellite imaging showing
extremely high and dangerous concentrations since at least Friday, 27 October
2023, including spikes on Monday, 30 October 2023; Tuesday, 31 October 2023;
and Monday, 6 November 2023. I also refer to reports of thick smog and health
impacts coming from Karratha.
(1) Is the government aware of a major leak from the Varanus
Island facility?
(2) If yes to (1), what is being done to contain the leak?
(3) If no to
(1), what is the source of the high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and
PM2.5 that have been recorded in the area, including in Karratha, for over a week?
(4) What is
being done to ensure that the health impacts are minimised for residents of
Karratha, Dampier, Onslow, Roebourne, Port Hedland and any other communities
that may be impacted?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question. On behalf
of the Minister for Environment I provide the following answer.
(1) No.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The Department of Water and Environmental
Regulation understands that a number of fires are burning in the region, that the smoke has been moving out to
sea and that localised impacts in coastal areas is possible.
(4) There is
currently no information available to Department of Water and Environmental
Regulation to suggest that smoke is
associated with any industrial emission. The Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation is aware that there has been a bushfire smoke
alert issued for the Pilbara by Emergency WA, which includes Karratha and
Roebourne.
of the Minister for Environment I provide the following answer.
(1) No.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The Department of Water and Environmental
Regulation understands that a number of fires are burning in the region, that the smoke has been moving out to
sea and that localised impacts in coastal areas is possible.
(4) There is
currently no information available to Department of Water and Environmental
Regulation to suggest that smoke is
associated with any industrial emission. The Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation is aware that there has been a bushfire smoke
alert issued for the Pilbara by Emergency WA, which includes Karratha and
Roebourne.
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