❓ The Minister addresses concerns about CSBP's refusal to release groundwater monitoring data showing heavy metal contamination at their Bayswater site, outlining government actions including investigations, sampling, and legal advice, and tables a summary report.
AnsweredQoN 578Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Could the minister outline the response of the Government to CSBP’s refusal to release ground water monitoring data that indicates contamination with heavy metals resulting from historical pollution at the Wesfarmers CSBP site on Railway Parade, Bayswater? Dr J.M. EDWARDS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question, and I acknowledge his interest in this area, particularly when he was mayor of Bayswater. I acknowledge the work done by the City of Bayswater in looking at this site in the 1990s. At the heart of this question is a very important issue of the public’s right to know. As members may be aware, since 1998 the Department of Environmental Protection has been requesting CSBP to provide data from ground water monitoring and to prepare a comprehensive remediation plan for this site to address the contamination and any off-site impacts. The DEP has also called on CSBP to provide further details about the location and results of private bore sampling that is currently being undertaken as a result of information provided to the department a couple of weeks ago. In addition, due to possible impacts on the Swan River, the Swan River Trust, the Water and Rivers Commission and the Department of Fisheries will conduct sampling of in-river biota, including mussels and bottom-feeding fish in the general area, starting in about two weeks, to see if there is any impact in that area. In addition, samples will be collected from the Bayswater main drain in the local area, as well as from the Railway Parade and Pearson Street drains. The department is also seeking the Crown Solicitor’s advice to determine whether regulatory action could be taken against CSBP over this issue. I have made very clear that we all have a moral and corporate responsibility to fully inform and consult the community on these serious issues. Mr P.D. Omodei: I hope you will do the same for the people of Pemberton. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Certainly. This includes making available the full details of the nature of the contamination. Since the company is reluctant to provide the monitoring data and report, I now table a report entitled “A summary of current groundwater conditions associated with the WCSBP Site, Bayswater”. [See paper No 997.] The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question, and I acknowledge his interest in this area, particularly when he was mayor of Bayswater. I acknowledge the work done by the City of Bayswater in looking at this site in the 1990s. At the heart of this question is a very important issue of the public’s right to know. As members may be aware, since 1998 the Department of Environmental Protection has been requesting CSBP to provide data from ground water monitoring and to prepare a comprehensive remediation plan for this site to address the contamination and any off-site impacts. The DEP has also called on CSBP to provide further details about the location and results of private bore sampling that is currently being undertaken as a result of information provided to the department a couple of weeks ago. In addition, due to possible impacts on the Swan River, the Swan River Trust, the Water and Rivers Commission and the Department of Fisheries will conduct sampling of in-river biota, including mussels and bottom-feeding fish in the general area, starting in about two weeks, to see if there is any impact in that area. In addition, samples will be collected from the Bayswater main drain in the local area, as well as from the Railway Parade and Pearson Street drains. The department is also seeking the Crown Solicitor’s advice to determine whether regulatory action could be taken against CSBP over this issue. I have made very clear that we all have a moral and corporate responsibility to fully inform and consult the community on these serious issues. Mr P.D. Omodei: I hope you will do the same for the people of Pemberton. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Certainly. This includes making available the full details of the nature of the contamination. Since the company is reluctant to provide the monitoring data and report, I now table a report entitled “A summary of current groundwater conditions associated with the WCSBP Site, Bayswater”. [See paper No 997.] The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time.
I thank the member for the question, and I acknowledge his interest in this area, particularly when he was mayor of Bayswater. I acknowledge the work done by the City of Bayswater in looking at this site in the 1990s. At the heart of this question is a very important issue of the public’s right to know. As members may be aware, since 1998 the Department of Environmental Protection has been requesting CSBP to provide data from ground water monitoring and to prepare a comprehensive remediation plan for this site to address the contamination and any off-site impacts. The DEP has also called on CSBP to provide further details about the location and results of private bore sampling that is currently being undertaken as a result of information provided to the department a couple of weeks ago. In addition, due to possible impacts on the Swan River, the Swan River Trust, the Water and Rivers Commission and the Department of Fisheries will conduct sampling of in-river biota, including mussels and bottom-feeding fish in the general area, starting in about two weeks, to see if there is any impact in that area. In addition, samples will be collected from the Bayswater main drain in the local area, as well as from the Railway Parade and Pearson Street drains. The department is also seeking the Crown Solicitor’s advice to determine whether regulatory action could be taken against CSBP over this issue. I have made very clear that we all have a moral and corporate responsibility to fully inform and consult the community on these serious issues. Mr P.D. Omodei: I hope you will do the same for the people of Pemberton. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Certainly. This includes making available the full details of the nature of the contamination. Since the company is reluctant to provide the monitoring data and report, I now table a report entitled “A summary of current groundwater conditions associated with the WCSBP Site, Bayswater”. [See paper No 997.] The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time.
Mr P.D. Omodei: I hope you will do the same for the people of Pemberton. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Certainly. This includes making available the full details of the nature of the contamination. Since the company is reluctant to provide the monitoring data and report, I now table a report entitled “A summary of current groundwater conditions associated with the WCSBP Site, Bayswater”. [See paper No 997.] The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Certainly. This includes making available the full details of the nature of the contamination. Since the company is reluctant to provide the monitoring data and report, I now table a report entitled “A summary of current groundwater conditions associated with the WCSBP Site, Bayswater”. [See paper No 997.] The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time.
[See paper No 997.] The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question, and I acknowledge his interest in this area, particularly when he was mayor of Bayswater. I acknowledge the work done by the City of Bayswater in looking at this site in the 1990s. At the heart of this question is a very important issue of the public’s right to know. As members may be aware, since 1998 the Department of Environmental Protection has been requesting CSBP to provide data from ground water monitoring and to prepare a comprehensive remediation plan for this site to address the contamination and any off-site impacts. The DEP has also called on CSBP to provide further details about the location and results of private bore sampling that is currently being undertaken as a result of information provided to the department a couple of weeks ago. In addition, due to possible impacts on the Swan River, the Swan River Trust, the Water and Rivers Commission and the Department of Fisheries will conduct sampling of in-river biota, including mussels and bottom-feeding fish in the general area, starting in about two weeks, to see if there is any impact in that area. In addition, samples will be collected from the Bayswater main drain in the local area, as well as from the Railway Parade and Pearson Street drains. The department is also seeking the Crown Solicitor’s advice to determine whether regulatory action could be taken against CSBP over this issue. I have made very clear that we all have a moral and corporate responsibility to fully inform and consult the community on these serious issues. Mr P.D. Omodei: I hope you will do the same for the people of Pemberton. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Certainly. This includes making available the full details of the nature of the contamination. Since the company is reluctant to provide the monitoring data and report, I now table a report entitled “A summary of current groundwater conditions associated with the WCSBP Site, Bayswater”. [See paper No 997.] The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time.
I thank the member for the question, and I acknowledge his interest in this area, particularly when he was mayor of Bayswater. I acknowledge the work done by the City of Bayswater in looking at this site in the 1990s. At the heart of this question is a very important issue of the public’s right to know. As members may be aware, since 1998 the Department of Environmental Protection has been requesting CSBP to provide data from ground water monitoring and to prepare a comprehensive remediation plan for this site to address the contamination and any off-site impacts. The DEP has also called on CSBP to provide further details about the location and results of private bore sampling that is currently being undertaken as a result of information provided to the department a couple of weeks ago. In addition, due to possible impacts on the Swan River, the Swan River Trust, the Water and Rivers Commission and the Department of Fisheries will conduct sampling of in-river biota, including mussels and bottom-feeding fish in the general area, starting in about two weeks, to see if there is any impact in that area. In addition, samples will be collected from the Bayswater main drain in the local area, as well as from the Railway Parade and Pearson Street drains. The department is also seeking the Crown Solicitor’s advice to determine whether regulatory action could be taken against CSBP over this issue. I have made very clear that we all have a moral and corporate responsibility to fully inform and consult the community on these serious issues. Mr P.D. Omodei: I hope you will do the same for the people of Pemberton. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Certainly. This includes making available the full details of the nature of the contamination. Since the company is reluctant to provide the monitoring data and report, I now table a report entitled “A summary of current groundwater conditions associated with the WCSBP Site, Bayswater”. [See paper No 997.] The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time.
Mr P.D. Omodei: I hope you will do the same for the people of Pemberton. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Certainly. This includes making available the full details of the nature of the contamination. Since the company is reluctant to provide the monitoring data and report, I now table a report entitled “A summary of current groundwater conditions associated with the WCSBP Site, Bayswater”. [See paper No 997.] The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Certainly. This includes making available the full details of the nature of the contamination. Since the company is reluctant to provide the monitoring data and report, I now table a report entitled “A summary of current groundwater conditions associated with the WCSBP Site, Bayswater”. [See paper No 997.] The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time.
[See paper No 997.] The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time.
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