❓ Mr Murray questions the environmental monitoring of Iluka's synthetic rutile plant regarding dust and particulates. The response details Iluka's monitoring obligations under their licenses but states that DER does not conduct ambient air quality monitoring in surrounding areas.
AnsweredQoN 5088Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Iluka synthetic rutile plant north east of the Capel town site, which re-started operations in April 2015, and I ask: (a) what environmental monitoring has the Department of Environment carried out to test for dust and other particulates impacting upon surrounding localities since April 2015, and how often are such levels tested; and (b) what levels of dust and other particulates have been recorded in the Capel town site since April 2015 and how high are these levels relative to the maximum acceptable range?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
22 March 2016
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
27 days
(a) The Synthetic Rutile Plant on Yeardy Road in Capel operates under Licence L4557/1986/19 granted by the Department of Environment Regulation (DER). The Licensee (Iluka Resources Limited) is required by conditions of the licence (L4557) to carry out monitoring of particulates from plant sources as specified in Table 1 [See Tabled Paper No. #].
The Licensee is also required to monitor and report to DER on a monthly basis; the dates, times, durations, and causes of all occasions where the main stack cap is opened or mixed gas venting occurs. During these events, higher emissions of particulates can occur.
The Capel Dry Plant on Jenkins Road in Capel operates under Licence L6194/1989/14 granted by DER. The Licensee is required by conditions of the licence (L6194) to carry out monitoring of particulates from plant sources as specified in Table 2 [See Tabled Paper No. #].
Neither licence (L4557 and L6194) requires the Licensee to carry out monitoring of ambient air quality in the surrounding localities. DER does not carry out monitoring of ambient air quality in the localities surrounding the Iluka plants.
(b) The levels of particulates monitored at the above plants since April 2015 are shown in Tables 3 and 4 [See Tabled Paper No. #]. All measured particulate levels are below the limits contained in the licences (L4557 and L6194).
The Licensee is also required to monitor and report to DER on a monthly basis; the dates, times, durations, and causes of all occasions where the main stack cap is opened or mixed gas venting occurs. During these events, higher emissions of particulates can occur.
The Capel Dry Plant on Jenkins Road in Capel operates under Licence L6194/1989/14 granted by DER. The Licensee is required by conditions of the licence (L6194) to carry out monitoring of particulates from plant sources as specified in Table 2 [See Tabled Paper No. #].
Neither licence (L4557 and L6194) requires the Licensee to carry out monitoring of ambient air quality in the surrounding localities. DER does not carry out monitoring of ambient air quality in the localities surrounding the Iluka plants.
(b) The levels of particulates monitored at the above plants since April 2015 are shown in Tables 3 and 4 [See Tabled Paper No. #]. All measured particulate levels are below the limits contained in the licences (L4557 and L6194).
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