Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 714

❓ A parliamentary question regarding a chemical spill at BASF's Hutt Lagoon site, covering the nature, quantity, containment, and investigation of the incident. Some questions were redirected to other ministers.

AnsweredQoN 714Legislative Council

Asked

18 February 2014

Member

Hon Robin Chapple

Portfolio

Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to a chemical spill at BASP's Hutt Lagoon site at Yallabatharra in the shire of Northampton on Tuesday, 10 December 2013 as reported by AAP, and I ask: (a) what was the nature of the chemical spill; (b) what was the quantity of the chemical spill; (c) who is the owner of the facility; (d) who is the owner on the land on which the facility sits; (e) what lease arrangements are in place for the facility; (f) who is responsible for the environmental rehabilitation of the area at the end of the life of the project; (g) was the leak contained within the site: (i) if yes to (g), how; and (ii) if no to (g), why not; (h) did all or some of the chemical permeate the ground: (i) if yes to (h), what quantify; (ii) if no to (h), why not; and (iii) if yes to (h), was the contaminated soil removed: (A) if yes to (h)(iii), what process was used to remove the contaminated soil; and (B) if no to (h)(iii), why not; (i) were all staff evacuated from the BASF Beta Carotene site: (i) if yes to (i), for how long; and (ii) if yes to (i), under what condition did staff or other personal re-enter the site; (j) what was the cause of the chemical spill; (k) was the Department for Emergency Services notified of the spill; (l) has Worksafe carried out and investigation into the incident: (i) if yes to (k), has the investigation been completed; (ii) if yes to (l)(i), will the Minister table the report; (iii) if no to (l), why not; and (iv) if no to (l)(ii), why not; (m) were any roads closed adjacent to the spill site: (i) if yes to (m), please provide details including who requested the respective road closure, who ordered it and the duration of closure; and (n) has the department received any submissions or reports regarding the event from any of the local fire brigades who attended the chemical spill: (i) if yes to (n), will the Minister table the correspondence; and (ii) if no to (n)(i), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

19 March 2014

Responded by

Attorney General representing the Minister for Emergency Services

Response time

29 days

(a) - (h) This part of the question should be directed to the Minister for Environment, who has responsibility for this matter.
(i) Yes.
(i) (i) 2 hours 56 minutes.
(i) (ii) Department of Fire and Emergency Services personnel entered the affected area in full protective clothing. BASF Management did not enter affected area within the site and contracted a Hazmat clean up company to recover /neutralise spilt hydrochloric acid from bunded area.
(j) A ruptured pipe.
(k) Yes.
(l) (i)- (iv) This part of the question should be directed to the Minister for Commerce, who has responsibility for this matter.
(m) Yes.
(i) Main Roads was requested to close a section of Northampton-Kalbarri Road by the Police due to a chemical spill. The section between Port Gregory Road and Balline Road intersections was closed to traffic for 1.5 hours. Traffic management was in place at these points during the road closure.
(n) No.
(n) (i) -(ii) Not applicable.

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