❓ Hon Giz Watson questions the Department of State Development regarding information provided to the Vasse Coal Project proponents on the project's impact on regional communities and social considerations. The Department's response outlines general advice given to the proponents to consult broadly and assess potential impacts.
AnsweredQoN 2893Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Referring to the Department of State Development’s role under the lead Agency framework in the facilitation of the Vasse Coal Project, I note that according to page six of the Lead Agency Framework, the lead ‘agency is responsible for providing proponents with information on statutory requirements and coordinating the necessary approval processes. This includes assisting proponents to identify the potential impacts of the proposal on matters such as infrastructure, the environment and regional communities as well as the social considerations that arise from the proposal’. I therefore ask -
(1) What information did the Department provide regarding the impact of the proposal on regional communities?
(2) With reference to (1), can the Minister please table this information?
(3) What information did the Department provide on the social considerations that arise from the proposal?
(4) With reference to (3), can the Minister please table this information.
(5) What research or consultation was carried out by the Department before providing the information in (1) and (3)?
(6) Has a memorandum of understanding with the proponents been drafted or signed?
(1) What information did the Department provide regarding the impact of the proposal on regional communities?
(2) With reference to (1), can the Minister please table this information?
(3) What information did the Department provide on the social considerations that arise from the proposal?
(4) With reference to (3), can the Minister please table this information.
(5) What research or consultation was carried out by the Department before providing the information in (1) and (3)?
(6) Has a memorandum of understanding with the proponents been drafted or signed?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 March 2011
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
146 days
Department of State Development advises:
(1) The Vasse Coal Project is at an early stage of development of its initial proposal to Government. As it does with other projects for which it provides Lead Agency services, the Department of State Development has generally encouraged the proponents to consult broadly prior to referring their proposal to the Environmental Protection Authority under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act).
(2) During the initial project consultation phase, the Department's Lead Agency facilitation services focus on providing advice with respect to relevant legislation in order to guide the proponent in its preparation of environmental referral and scoping documentation. In that context a summary of the Department's initial advice about any potential regional impacts of the proposal to the Proponents was that it should:
* consult broadly on the whole proposal, for example through meetings with the local shire councils and relevant agencies;
* assess matters relating to the impact of the proposal on regional water issues, in preparation for the environmental assessment process under the EP Act;
* examine issues concerning any potential local and regional subsidence from a mine safety perspective, particularly with relevance to the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994;
* understand regional transport impacts, for example in relation to heavy vehicle operations and guidelines, issued by Main Roads WA, for assessing the suitability of routes for restricted access vehicles; and
* investigate the regional impacts in regard to accessing the Bunbury Port for the export of coal.
(3) In relation to the potential social considerations of the proposal, the Department has similarly encouraged the proponents to consult broadly prior to referring the proposal to the EPA for assessment.
(4) Within the context of the initial consultation phase, the Department has advised the Proponents to:
* meet with the local shire councils, key interest groups and concerned residents;
* address matters relating to the perceived value of the 'Margaret River brand' and the impact of a coal mine on the 'clean green' image of the South West region; and
*consider public sentiment through the public statements of local, State and Commonwealth Members of Parliament.
(5) During the initial consultation phase, the Department did not conduct or commission any separate or specific research regarding the proposal. The advice provided by the Department is relatively general advice that would be provided as guidance information to most proponents during the initial consultation phase prior to their referral under the EP Act.
(6) No.
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(1) The Vasse Coal Project is at an early stage of development of its initial proposal to Government. As it does with other projects for which it provides Lead Agency services, the Department of State Development has generally encouraged the proponents to consult broadly prior to referring their proposal to the Environmental Protection Authority under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act).
(2) During the initial project consultation phase, the Department's Lead Agency facilitation services focus on providing advice with respect to relevant legislation in order to guide the proponent in its preparation of environmental referral and scoping documentation. In that context a summary of the Department's initial advice about any potential regional impacts of the proposal to the Proponents was that it should:
* consult broadly on the whole proposal, for example through meetings with the local shire councils and relevant agencies;
* assess matters relating to the impact of the proposal on regional water issues, in preparation for the environmental assessment process under the EP Act;
* examine issues concerning any potential local and regional subsidence from a mine safety perspective, particularly with relevance to the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994;
* understand regional transport impacts, for example in relation to heavy vehicle operations and guidelines, issued by Main Roads WA, for assessing the suitability of routes for restricted access vehicles; and
* investigate the regional impacts in regard to accessing the Bunbury Port for the export of coal.
(3) In relation to the potential social considerations of the proposal, the Department has similarly encouraged the proponents to consult broadly prior to referring the proposal to the EPA for assessment.
(4) Within the context of the initial consultation phase, the Department has advised the Proponents to:
* meet with the local shire councils, key interest groups and concerned residents;
* address matters relating to the perceived value of the 'Margaret River brand' and the impact of a coal mine on the 'clean green' image of the South West region; and
*consider public sentiment through the public statements of local, State and Commonwealth Members of Parliament.
(5) During the initial consultation phase, the Department did not conduct or commission any separate or specific research regarding the proposal. The advice provided by the Department is relatively general advice that would be provided as guidance information to most proponents during the initial consultation phase prior to their referral under the EP Act.
(6) No.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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