❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding Cockburn Cement's odour neutralising trial application and emissions, focusing on potential health and environmental impacts and the possibility of mandating natural gas use and emissions restrictions. The Minister defers comment due to an ongoing appeal.
AnsweredQoN 940Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
COCKBURN CEMENT —
ODOUR NEUTRALISING TRIAL
940. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the application to trial
an odour neutralising product lodged by Cockburn Cement Ltd with the Department
of Water and Environmental Regulation.
(1) Given that
Cockburn Cement acknowledges in its answer to question 6.1 on the application
form that the trial will permit gaseous and particulate emissions from stacks,
chimneys or baghouses, stating that ''No change from existing emissions
profile from either Kiln 5 or Kiln 6 is expected'', does the minister
agree that emissions reduction should be the focus of any trials?
(2) Will the
minister mandate that Cockburn Cement trial the use of natural gas for a period
of 90 days?
(3) Given the
damage caused by Cockburn Cement's emissions to residents'
properties as well as negative impacts on health, will the government mandate
emissions restrictions for the plant?
(4) Does the
minister agree that the burning of coal on an industrial scale within the
metropolitan area is incompatible with the health needs of residents?
ODOUR NEUTRALISING TRIAL
940. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the application to trial
an odour neutralising product lodged by Cockburn Cement Ltd with the Department
of Water and Environmental Regulation.
(1) Given that
Cockburn Cement acknowledges in its answer to question 6.1 on the application
form that the trial will permit gaseous and particulate emissions from stacks,
chimneys or baghouses, stating that ''No change from existing emissions
profile from either Kiln 5 or Kiln 6 is expected'', does the minister
agree that emissions reduction should be the focus of any trials?
(2) Will the
minister mandate that Cockburn Cement trial the use of natural gas for a period
of 90 days?
(3) Given the
damage caused by Cockburn Cement's emissions to residents'
properties as well as negative impacts on health, will the government mandate
emissions restrictions for the plant?
(4) Does the
minister agree that the burning of coal on an industrial scale within the
metropolitan area is incompatible with the health needs of residents?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) Cockburn
Cement Ltd has applied to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
for approval to trial the use of an odour neutralising agent in the kiln stacks
with the focus on reducing odour emissions. The department has not made a decision
on this application at this time.
More broadly, emissions from Cockburn
Cement are regulated under the licence granted by the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation. This licence was amended in December 2016. As part of
the amendment, conditions of the old licence were replaced with new conditions
for the control of emissions. The amended licence is currently subject to
appeal, and as I am responsible for determining the appeals, it is not
appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time.
some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) Cockburn
Cement Ltd has applied to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
for approval to trial the use of an odour neutralising agent in the kiln stacks
with the focus on reducing odour emissions. The department has not made a decision
on this application at this time.
More broadly, emissions from Cockburn
Cement are regulated under the licence granted by the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation. This licence was amended in December 2016. As part of
the amendment, conditions of the old licence were replaced with new conditions
for the control of emissions. The amended licence is currently subject to
appeal, and as I am responsible for determining the appeals, it is not
appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time.
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