❓ Hon Tom Helm questions the Minister for the Environment regarding dust and noise complaints related to KCGM's Mt Charlotte surface operations, with the Minister providing details on investigations, site visits, complaint resolution, and mitigation measures implemented by KCGM.
AnsweredQoN 696Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
696. Hon Tom Helm to the Attorney General representing the Minister for the Environment:
I refer to a letter dated June 28 2000 signed by Peter Skitmore, Director Regional Services Division titled "
I refer to a letter dated June 28 2000 signed by Peter Skitmore, Director Regional Services Division titled "
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 November 2000
Response time
98 days
The Minister Replied:
(1) Yes. On investigating the dust complaint of 29 May 2000, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was advised by KCGM that dust suppression measures were not considered necessary until about 2 hours after commencing works. When it appeared that dust suppression measures were required, these were commenced.
A site inspection at 2.15pm on 29 May 2000 by an officer from DEP, confirmed that dust suppression measures were in place.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Officers from DEP visited the Mt Charlotte surface operations on the following dates:
29 May 2000
30 May 2000
1 June 2000
8 June 2000
23 June 2000
2 August 2000
8 August 2000
17 August 2000
(4) Not applicable.
(5-6) Since the dust complaint of 29 May 2000, only two complaints have been lodged with DEP regarding dust from the Mt Charlotte surface operations. Following DEP contact with KCGM on these two complaints, dust suppression measurements were immediately implemented. There have been no complaints on this matter since the last complaint on 23 June 2000.
DEP has already requested KCGM to ensure that dust suppression measures are in place, so that dust from these operations does not cause a problem to the public. Given the lack of complaints since 23 June 2000, there is no need to issue a direction in this regard.
(7-8) Discussions between DEP and KCGM on the use of haul trucks for this operation has resulted in the number of truck passes being reduced from about 30 per hour in late 1999, to 20 early this year and to 12 after February 2000.
In response to DEP requests to KCGM to identify other options to reduce the noise from this operation, KCGM has noise tested all trucks used and now only uses, the quieter trucks. DEP also requested KCGM to build a noise barrier as soon as possible. However, KCGM has been unable to obtain permission from nearby residents to undertake this work. In order to resolve this matter, KCGM now plans to use an overland conveyer system to transport waste rock instead of using trucks. This work is almost finalised and should be transporting waste rock in a few weeks.
A search of the complaints register at the DEP Kalgoorlie office back to February 2000, has indicated that no complaints about noise from the use of haul trucks to Mt Charlotte, have been received at that office.
(1) Yes. On investigating the dust complaint of 29 May 2000, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was advised by KCGM that dust suppression measures were not considered necessary until about 2 hours after commencing works. When it appeared that dust suppression measures were required, these were commenced.
A site inspection at 2.15pm on 29 May 2000 by an officer from DEP, confirmed that dust suppression measures were in place.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Officers from DEP visited the Mt Charlotte surface operations on the following dates:
29 May 2000
30 May 2000
1 June 2000
8 June 2000
23 June 2000
2 August 2000
8 August 2000
17 August 2000
(4) Not applicable.
(5-6) Since the dust complaint of 29 May 2000, only two complaints have been lodged with DEP regarding dust from the Mt Charlotte surface operations. Following DEP contact with KCGM on these two complaints, dust suppression measurements were immediately implemented. There have been no complaints on this matter since the last complaint on 23 June 2000.
DEP has already requested KCGM to ensure that dust suppression measures are in place, so that dust from these operations does not cause a problem to the public. Given the lack of complaints since 23 June 2000, there is no need to issue a direction in this regard.
(7-8) Discussions between DEP and KCGM on the use of haul trucks for this operation has resulted in the number of truck passes being reduced from about 30 per hour in late 1999, to 20 early this year and to 12 after February 2000.
In response to DEP requests to KCGM to identify other options to reduce the noise from this operation, KCGM has noise tested all trucks used and now only uses, the quieter trucks. DEP also requested KCGM to build a noise barrier as soon as possible. However, KCGM has been unable to obtain permission from nearby residents to undertake this work. In order to resolve this matter, KCGM now plans to use an overland conveyer system to transport waste rock instead of using trucks. This work is almost finalised and should be transporting waste rock in a few weeks.
A search of the complaints register at the DEP Kalgoorlie office back to February 2000, has indicated that no complaints about noise from the use of haul trucks to Mt Charlotte, have been received at that office.
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