❓ Question on Notice regarding EPA policy on buffer zones around railway infrastructure and environmental assessment of the Southern Rail Line, including claimed environmental benefits. The EPA denies having a buffer zone policy and confirms assessment of the rail line.
AnsweredQoN 1009Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is it a recommended or suggested policy of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) or of the Department of Environmental Protection for a non-residential buffer area or resident exclusion zone of some 500 metre radius to be located around all future railway stations and along all future railway lines?
(2) What mechanisms are available to the public of Western Australia to request that the EPA assess the environmental impacts of a major public transport proposal such as the southern rail line?
(3) Is it appropriate for the EPA, as part of an assessment of the environmental and social impacts of a public transport project such as the southern rail line, to assess the veracity of claimed environmental benefits such as reduced car usage and improvements in urban air quality?
(2) What mechanisms are available to the public of Western Australia to request that the EPA assess the environmental impacts of a major public transport proposal such as the southern rail line?
(3) Is it appropriate for the EPA, as part of an assessment of the environmental and social impacts of a public transport project such as the southern rail line, to assess the veracity of claimed environmental benefits such as reduced car usage and improvements in urban air quality?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 October 2001
Responded by
Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
34 days
(1) No, the EPA or DEP does not have such a policy.
(2) Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act provides for processes for environmental impact assessment of proposals by the Environmental Protection Authority. In the case of the southern rail line, the Environmental Protection Authority has recently advised that it will be assessing the proposal as a Public Environmental Review.
(3) The EPA may consider these matters as part of its assessment of the proposal.
(2) Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act provides for processes for environmental impact assessment of proposals by the Environmental Protection Authority. In the case of the southern rail line, the Environmental Protection Authority has recently advised that it will be assessing the proposal as a Public Environmental Review.
(3) The EPA may consider these matters as part of its assessment of the proposal.
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