❓ A parliamentary question regarding faecal bacteria levels in the Elizabeth Quay inlet, questioning the testing regime and costs. The Minister responds, clarifying the rationale, costs, and safety of the water.
AnsweredQoN 397Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ELIZABETH QUAY — FAECAL BACTERIA —
SWAN RIVER INLET
397. Hon SAMANTHA ROWE to the Minister
for Planning:
I refer to the faecal bacteria
discovered in the Swan River inlet at Elizabeth Quay and the relevant testing
by RPS Group environment and planning.
(1) Why is a private
firm, and not the Department of Parks and Wildlife, conducting testing of the
Swan River at Elizabeth Quay?
(2) Since this
firm has been engaged, what is the total expected cost to 30 June 2016 for this
firm to conduct its monthly testing?
(3) Has the
minister consulted with either the Minister for Environment or Minister for
Health about the appropriateness of having this private company complete only
monthly testing, when the remainder of the Swan River is tested weekly by the
state government?
(4) Will the
minister table all the results to date of the water testing that has been done
by the private firm?
(5) Is the water
now at safe levels; and, if not, when does the minister expect the inlet to be
safe for humans?
SWAN RIVER INLET
397. Hon SAMANTHA ROWE to the Minister
for Planning:
I refer to the faecal bacteria
discovered in the Swan River inlet at Elizabeth Quay and the relevant testing
by RPS Group environment and planning.
(1) Why is a private
firm, and not the Department of Parks and Wildlife, conducting testing of the
Swan River at Elizabeth Quay?
(2) Since this
firm has been engaged, what is the total expected cost to 30 June 2016 for this
firm to conduct its monthly testing?
(3) Has the
minister consulted with either the Minister for Environment or Minister for
Health about the appropriateness of having this private company complete only
monthly testing, when the remainder of the Swan River is tested weekly by the
state government?
(4) Will the
minister table all the results to date of the water testing that has been done
by the private firm?
(5) Is the water
now at safe levels; and, if not, when does the minister expect the inlet to be
safe for humans?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1) Monthly testing is being undertaken by a private
firm, RPS Group, on behalf of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority as the
agency responsible for the construction of Elizabeth Quay. The testing is
undertaken in accordance with the estuary and waterways management plan, which
was developed in consultation with the Department of Parks and Wildlife to meet
a condition of the development approval for the Elizabeth Quay project. This
testing regime has been undertaken to ensure potential impacts from the
construction of the inlet are appropriately managed and mitigated to the
satisfaction of the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
(2) The total cost of conducting the monthly
testing to June 2016 will be $155 700, excluding GST, and includes testing,
laboratory analysis, and reporting. This cost forms part of the approved budget
for the Elizabeth Quay project.
(3) The MRA is liaising with the Department of
Parks and Wildlife regarding normalisation of the testing regime for the inlet
post-construction. I have also discussed the matter with the Minister for
Environment.
(4) The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority is
liaising with the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Health
to make the monthly sampling results publicly available through the Department
of Parks and Wildlife website.
(5) The quality of the water presents no risk to
recreational use of the inlet for users of boats, kayaks and other watercraft.
Swimming in the inlet is not permitted and can I say it never has been
permitted.
thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1) Monthly testing is being undertaken by a private
firm, RPS Group, on behalf of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority as the
agency responsible for the construction of Elizabeth Quay. The testing is
undertaken in accordance with the estuary and waterways management plan, which
was developed in consultation with the Department of Parks and Wildlife to meet
a condition of the development approval for the Elizabeth Quay project. This
testing regime has been undertaken to ensure potential impacts from the
construction of the inlet are appropriately managed and mitigated to the
satisfaction of the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
(2) The total cost of conducting the monthly
testing to June 2016 will be $155 700, excluding GST, and includes testing,
laboratory analysis, and reporting. This cost forms part of the approved budget
for the Elizabeth Quay project.
(3) The MRA is liaising with the Department of
Parks and Wildlife regarding normalisation of the testing regime for the inlet
post-construction. I have also discussed the matter with the Minister for
Environment.
(4) The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority is
liaising with the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Health
to make the monthly sampling results publicly available through the Department
of Parks and Wildlife website.
(5) The quality of the water presents no risk to
recreational use of the inlet for users of boats, kayaks and other watercraft.
Swimming in the inlet is not permitted and can I say it never has been
permitted.
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