❓ Mr Tallentire asks about the DER's investigation into potential contamination from a piggery (GD Pork Pty Ltd) and its impact on the Peel/Harvey catchment. The DER outlines the steps taken, including notifying GD Pork, classifying the site, and requiring further investigation, but states no impact on the catchment is currently indicated.
AnsweredQoN 4518Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Licence L7286/1998/10 (GD Pork Pty Ltd); : (a) how did the Department of Environment Regulation (DER) investigate the report of the piggery as a known or suspected contaminated site in September 2014; (b) who were the stakeholders DER engaged in the investigation; (c) how and when were the stakeholders engaged (full program details); (d) what were the detailed results of the investigation; (e) was groundwater contamination established at the site; (f) what were the detailed remedial actions required by DER; (g) how has DER investigated the extent of the contamination beyond the licence boundary; (h) were bores at neighbouring properties tested for contamination (including when and what were the results) If not, why not; (i) how will DER investigate possible contamination of the Peel/Harvey catchment; (j) how is DER working with other agencies to investigate possible contamination of the Peel/Harvey catchment; and (k) which agencies are part of this investigation?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 October 2015
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
35 days
(a)-(k) The Department of Environment Regulation (DER) notified GD Pork Holdings Pty Ltd (GD Pork) that the site had been reported on 6 November 2014. On 10 December 2014, DER was advised by GD Pork that a consultant had been engaged and would commence groundwater investigations by February 2015.
The site was classified
possibly contaminated - investigation required
on 14 April 2015 following advice from GD Pork's consultant that the investigations had not commenced by the proposed date. DER notified GD Pork, Shire of Murray, the reporter, Western Australian Planning Commission and the consultant on 15 April 2015 that the site had been classified under the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
.
DER issued GD Pork an Action Required Letter on 30 September 2015, requesting information be provided to demonstrate appropriate action was being taken to address the classification of the site under the CS Act.
Groundwater monitoring, in accordance with the site's licence under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
, identified elevated nutrients in groundwater beneath the site. Further investigations are required to understand the nature and extent of the groundwater impact. No requirement for remedial action has been identified at this stage.
Elevated nutrients have been detected in groundwater immediately down-gradient of the licence boundary. Comprehensive groundwater monitoring will be a part of site investigations, including up-stream and down-stream sites.
At this stage there is no information which would suggest a potential impact to the Peel/Harvey catchment from this property. Risk assessment will be undertaken as part of the groundwater investigations based on the results of groundwater monitoring when available. DER will liaise with the Department of Water as appropriate. DER liaises with other relevant agencies when appropriate, in dealing with matters under the CS Act.
At present DER, and the Department of Health collaborate as part of the classification process, and ongoing investigations at the site. DER has the primary role in ensuring that appropriate investigations are undertaken at the site in accordance with the CS Act. DER will advise the Department of Water and Department of Health as relevant data becomes available.
The site was classified
possibly contaminated - investigation required
on 14 April 2015 following advice from GD Pork's consultant that the investigations had not commenced by the proposed date. DER notified GD Pork, Shire of Murray, the reporter, Western Australian Planning Commission and the consultant on 15 April 2015 that the site had been classified under the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
.
DER issued GD Pork an Action Required Letter on 30 September 2015, requesting information be provided to demonstrate appropriate action was being taken to address the classification of the site under the CS Act.
Groundwater monitoring, in accordance with the site's licence under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
, identified elevated nutrients in groundwater beneath the site. Further investigations are required to understand the nature and extent of the groundwater impact. No requirement for remedial action has been identified at this stage.
Elevated nutrients have been detected in groundwater immediately down-gradient of the licence boundary. Comprehensive groundwater monitoring will be a part of site investigations, including up-stream and down-stream sites.
At this stage there is no information which would suggest a potential impact to the Peel/Harvey catchment from this property. Risk assessment will be undertaken as part of the groundwater investigations based on the results of groundwater monitoring when available. DER will liaise with the Department of Water as appropriate. DER liaises with other relevant agencies when appropriate, in dealing with matters under the CS Act.
At present DER, and the Department of Health collaborate as part of the classification process, and ongoing investigations at the site. DER has the primary role in ensuring that appropriate investigations are undertaken at the site in accordance with the CS Act. DER will advise the Department of Water and Department of Health as relevant data becomes available.
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