❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Total Waste Management facility in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, focusing on monitoring bores, waste disposal practices at the Yarri Road tip, and potential groundwater contamination. The Minister provides answers confirming the practices and outlining safeguards.
AnsweredQoN 577Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the toxic Total Waste Management (TWM) facility located in Kalgoorlie-Boulder -
(1) Is it correct that monitoring bores are located outside the fenced premises of the Total Waste Management facility?
(2) If yes to (1), can the Minister state whether written permission was sought/obtained and the name of the surrounding leaseholder/landholder before construction of these bores?
(3) Is it correct that solid waste after being treated at TWM site is then taken and buried at the Yarri Road tip?
(4) If yes to (3), what is the depth in metres below ground level to groundwater in this region and what potential exists for groundwater contamination in the area from the toxic waste?
(5) Can the Minister state how much in tonnes/per month of solid toxic waste from the TWM Facility is being taken to the Yarri Road tip and how much in monetary terms is TWM paying the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder per tonne of solid waste to be buried at this site?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(1) Is it correct that monitoring bores are located outside the fenced premises of the Total Waste Management facility?
(2) If yes to (1), can the Minister state whether written permission was sought/obtained and the name of the surrounding leaseholder/landholder before construction of these bores?
(3) Is it correct that solid waste after being treated at TWM site is then taken and buried at the Yarri Road tip?
(4) If yes to (3), what is the depth in metres below ground level to groundwater in this region and what potential exists for groundwater contamination in the area from the toxic waste?
(5) Can the Minister state how much in tonnes/per month of solid toxic waste from the TWM Facility is being taken to the Yarri Road tip and how much in monetary terms is TWM paying the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder per tonne of solid waste to be buried at this site?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 May 2003
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
47 days
The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has provided the following response.
(1) Yes, some of the monitoring bores are located outside the fenced facility.
(2) Yes, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) understands that Total Waste Management (TWM) approached and was granted approval from the City of Kalgoorlie Boulder.
(3) Yes. Solid waste is treated with a mixture of cement and fly ash, tested for composition and leachability and then disposed of at the Yarri Road Waste Disposal Facility.
(4) The depth to groundwater varies in the region, but is generally around 25 to 30 metres. The potential for groundwater contamination is low, due to the high clay in the soil, low rainfall rate in the region and the depth to groundwater. It is also a licence condition of the Yarri Road Waste Disposal Facility that waste meets the
“Guidelines for acceptance of solid waste to landfill”
(DEP, October 2002) where strict concentration limits and Australian Standards Leachability Procedure (ASLP) criteria are set for landfills.
(5) Yes. On average between 800 and 1000 tonnes per month of waste material from TWM is disposed of at the Yarri Road facility. The DEP understands that the City of Kalgoorlie Boulder charges $22/tonne to dispose of this material.
(6) Not applicable.
(1) Yes, some of the monitoring bores are located outside the fenced facility.
(2) Yes, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) understands that Total Waste Management (TWM) approached and was granted approval from the City of Kalgoorlie Boulder.
(3) Yes. Solid waste is treated with a mixture of cement and fly ash, tested for composition and leachability and then disposed of at the Yarri Road Waste Disposal Facility.
(4) The depth to groundwater varies in the region, but is generally around 25 to 30 metres. The potential for groundwater contamination is low, due to the high clay in the soil, low rainfall rate in the region and the depth to groundwater. It is also a licence condition of the Yarri Road Waste Disposal Facility that waste meets the
“Guidelines for acceptance of solid waste to landfill”
(DEP, October 2002) where strict concentration limits and Australian Standards Leachability Procedure (ASLP) criteria are set for landfills.
(5) Yes. On average between 800 and 1000 tonnes per month of waste material from TWM is disposed of at the Yarri Road facility. The DEP understands that the City of Kalgoorlie Boulder charges $22/tonne to dispose of this material.
(6) Not applicable.
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