❓ Dr. Pettitt questions the State Government on the monitoring of pollutants and emissions at various mine sites and refineries, seeking details on agency involvement, monitoring practices, public availability of data, potential health impacts, and compliance breaches. The Minister's response outlines company responsibility for emissions monitoring, DWER's auditing role, and collaboration with the Department of Health and WorkSafe on public health issues, and tables a summary of breaches.
AnsweredQoN 1372Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What monitoring of the airborne, soil and water pollutants and emissions is being undertaken by the State Government at the following mine sites and refineries: (a) Greenbushes lithium mine site; (b) Wagerup alumina refinery; (c) Kwinana alumina refinery; (d) Pinjarra alumina refinery; (e) Huntly mine site; (f) Willowdale mine site; (g) Worsley alumina refinery; (h) Boddington bauxite mine site; and (i) Boddington gold mine site? (2) For each of the sites listed in (1), please provide the following details: (a) which agency/agencies is/are conducting the monitoring; (b) when did the monitoring commence; (c) what pollutants and emissions are being recorded; (d) which agency/agencies is/are compiling results from monitoring; (e) are these results publicly available; (f) do any of the pollutants being recorded have the potential to impact human health; (g) which government agency/agencies is/are assessing and responding to potential health impacts and what are they doing to ensure public safety; and (h) what breaches of compliance with permit conditions regarding pollutants and emissions have been recorded (please provide all details that are available)?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
9 May 2023
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
1 days
(1) (a – i) All emissions monitoring on these premises is the responsibility of the company under conditions of their respective approvals. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation audits compliance with the emissions monitoring conditions and assesses the environmental risks associated with emissions from the premises.
(2) (a) – (f) NA
(g) Where potential public health issues are identified at a prescribed premises the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation seeks input and works with the Department of Health to address the issues. Where relevant, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation also engages with WorkSafe where public health or safety issues are identified within a workplace.
(h) I table a summary of breaches recorded by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in its Incidents Complaints Management System (ICMS) for breaches recorded from 2010 to 1 April 2023.
(2) (a) – (f) NA
(g) Where potential public health issues are identified at a prescribed premises the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation seeks input and works with the Department of Health to address the issues. Where relevant, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation also engages with WorkSafe where public health or safety issues are identified within a workplace.
(h) I table a summary of breaches recorded by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in its Incidents Complaints Management System (ICMS) for breaches recorded from 2010 to 1 April 2023.
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