❓ Mr. Kelly questions the Minister for Water about unresolved sewer gas issues in Clematis Crescent, Geraldton, despite previous assurances. The Minister acknowledges the problem, outlines ongoing efforts, and anticipates a solution by June 2015, while criticizing the opposition's handling of the issue.
AnsweredQoN 557Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SEWERAGE
INFRASTRUCTURE — CLEMATIS CRESCENT, GERALDTON
557. Mr D.J. KELLY to the
Minister for Water:
I refer the minister to the numerous complaints that she is
aware of from residents who live around sewerage infrastructure in Clematis
Crescent, Geraldton, concerning intolerable levels of sewer gas.
(1) Does the
minister acknowledge that the problem has not been fixed, despite assurances
she gave that work done in June 2014 would fix the problem?
(2) Will the minister take urgent action to resolve the
issue; and, if yes, what action will be taken?
(3) Does the
minister acknowledge that her failure to fix the problem has caused great
disruption and costs to the families who live near that facility?
(4) Will the affected residents be offered compensation?
INFRASTRUCTURE — CLEMATIS CRESCENT, GERALDTON
557. Mr D.J. KELLY to the
Minister for Water:
I refer the minister to the numerous complaints that she is
aware of from residents who live around sewerage infrastructure in Clematis
Crescent, Geraldton, concerning intolerable levels of sewer gas.
(1) Does the
minister acknowledge that the problem has not been fixed, despite assurances
she gave that work done in June 2014 would fix the problem?
(2) Will the minister take urgent action to resolve the
issue; and, if yes, what action will be taken?
(3) Does the
minister acknowledge that her failure to fix the problem has caused great
disruption and costs to the families who live near that facility?
(4) Will the affected residents be offered compensation?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
(1)–(4)
There has been a flurry of activity from the opposition in the past couple of
weeks about this issue, despite the fact that we have been working on it for
some time and the Water Corporation has been working on it to try to —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Ms M.J. DAVIES :
Some of these issues are complex and we have to go through a process. This is
about managing the issues. If there is a solution to the problem that will not
cost taxpayers an enormous amount, we will go down that pathway, and that is
what we have been doing. Every solution that has been applied has improved the
outcome for the residents. We acknowledge that it is not acceptable and that is
why the solution has been fast-tracked. We are hoping to have it in place by
the beginning of 2015. I acknowledge that it is not acceptable for the
community, and the smell is significant at times. As I said, we have been
working on it for some time. I assure the member, as I have assured the
residents on numerous occasions because they have been in contact with my
office since I have been the Minister for Water, that it is not at dangerous
levels but it is uncomfortable. From my perspective as Minister for Water, we
have asked for the problem to be resolved as soon as possible. A considerable
amount of work needs to go into planning for these upgrades; it does not happen
overnight. We are measuring the air quality in an ongoing way to ensure that it
does not exceed unacceptable levels in terms of health outcomes. Sorry, member,
I will correct my earlier statement; it is scheduled for completion in June
2015. I have asked the Water Corporation to put every —
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Victoria Park, I call you now to order for the third time.
Ms M.J. DAVIES :
That solution will resolve the problem. In the interim, there have been a
number of interventions from the Water Corporation and we have been
communicating with those residents to alert them to the works that have been
undertaken to improve the outcome. It is not a simple problem to resolve. I
understand the concern from the community. We have been working with them. It
has been really disappointing from my perspective to see that the opposition—in
particular the shadow minister and Darren West, member for Agricultural Region—inflame
the community that is already concerned in that space. The member's
behaviour has been unconscionable. We have been dealing with that community —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Ms M.J. DAVIES : I
am confident that the approach that the Water Corporation has taken has been a
responsible one. We are continuing to work with the community and we will
continue to ensure that there are interventions up to the point where we can
finally resolve it after the planning for that upgrade is completed.
(1)–(4)
There has been a flurry of activity from the opposition in the past couple of
weeks about this issue, despite the fact that we have been working on it for
some time and the Water Corporation has been working on it to try to —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Ms M.J. DAVIES :
Some of these issues are complex and we have to go through a process. This is
about managing the issues. If there is a solution to the problem that will not
cost taxpayers an enormous amount, we will go down that pathway, and that is
what we have been doing. Every solution that has been applied has improved the
outcome for the residents. We acknowledge that it is not acceptable and that is
why the solution has been fast-tracked. We are hoping to have it in place by
the beginning of 2015. I acknowledge that it is not acceptable for the
community, and the smell is significant at times. As I said, we have been
working on it for some time. I assure the member, as I have assured the
residents on numerous occasions because they have been in contact with my
office since I have been the Minister for Water, that it is not at dangerous
levels but it is uncomfortable. From my perspective as Minister for Water, we
have asked for the problem to be resolved as soon as possible. A considerable
amount of work needs to go into planning for these upgrades; it does not happen
overnight. We are measuring the air quality in an ongoing way to ensure that it
does not exceed unacceptable levels in terms of health outcomes. Sorry, member,
I will correct my earlier statement; it is scheduled for completion in June
2015. I have asked the Water Corporation to put every —
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Victoria Park, I call you now to order for the third time.
Ms M.J. DAVIES :
That solution will resolve the problem. In the interim, there have been a
number of interventions from the Water Corporation and we have been
communicating with those residents to alert them to the works that have been
undertaken to improve the outcome. It is not a simple problem to resolve. I
understand the concern from the community. We have been working with them. It
has been really disappointing from my perspective to see that the opposition—in
particular the shadow minister and Darren West, member for Agricultural Region—inflame
the community that is already concerned in that space. The member's
behaviour has been unconscionable. We have been dealing with that community —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Ms M.J. DAVIES : I
am confident that the approach that the Water Corporation has taken has been a
responsible one. We are continuing to work with the community and we will
continue to ensure that there are interventions up to the point where we can
finally resolve it after the planning for that upgrade is completed.
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