❓ A WA parliamentary question raises concerns about the Department of Environmental Protection's handling of the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee, specifically regarding member selection and its potential formalization into an environmental improvement plan committee. The Minister acknowledges concerns but defends the current process.
AnsweredQoN 1483Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Has the Minister for the Environment been provided with information that indicates that Department of Environmental Protection officers are involved in stacking the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee with unelected non-representative members? (2) Why does the DEP plan to formalise the current procedurally unjust and undemocratically established community committee into an environmental improvement plan committee whilst a Western Australian model for an EIP has not yet been established? (3) Is the Minister for the Environment investigating the above issues? The PRESIDENT: I believe the second part of the question is not in order but I will leave it to the minister to consider all parts of the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
The Minister for the Environment provides the following response - (1) The Minister for the Environment has received correspondence from community members expressing concern about Department of Environmental Protection processes in relation to representation on the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee. The minister has responded to these concerns expressing her disappointment that the process for creating the community consultative committee was not clearly set out and implemented in a manner that was transparent to all members of the community. While this process must, and will, be improved for any future consultative committees that the DEP initiates, the minister does not believe that there was constructive benefit in removing community representatives at this late stage of consultation. The DEP has advised that the core committee representation on the Cockburn Cement Ltd community working group has remained essentially unchanged since its formation in September 2002. There have been changes in the original community membership; however, these changes have been initiated at the request of the members themselves and determined through the chair in consultation with the group. In all instances, the community members who left the group were replaced by members of their own choosing. (2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
(2) Why does the DEP plan to formalise the current procedurally unjust and undemocratically established community committee into an environmental improvement plan committee whilst a Western Australian model for an EIP has not yet been established? (3) Is the Minister for the Environment investigating the above issues? The PRESIDENT: I believe the second part of the question is not in order but I will leave it to the minister to consider all parts of the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provides the following response - (1) The Minister for the Environment has received correspondence from community members expressing concern about Department of Environmental Protection processes in relation to representation on the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee. The minister has responded to these concerns expressing her disappointment that the process for creating the community consultative committee was not clearly set out and implemented in a manner that was transparent to all members of the community. While this process must, and will, be improved for any future consultative committees that the DEP initiates, the minister does not believe that there was constructive benefit in removing community representatives at this late stage of consultation. The DEP has advised that the core committee representation on the Cockburn Cement Ltd community working group has remained essentially unchanged since its formation in September 2002. There have been changes in the original community membership; however, these changes have been initiated at the request of the members themselves and determined through the chair in consultation with the group. In all instances, the community members who left the group were replaced by members of their own choosing. (2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
(3) Is the Minister for the Environment investigating the above issues? The PRESIDENT: I believe the second part of the question is not in order but I will leave it to the minister to consider all parts of the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provides the following response - (1) The Minister for the Environment has received correspondence from community members expressing concern about Department of Environmental Protection processes in relation to representation on the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee. The minister has responded to these concerns expressing her disappointment that the process for creating the community consultative committee was not clearly set out and implemented in a manner that was transparent to all members of the community. While this process must, and will, be improved for any future consultative committees that the DEP initiates, the minister does not believe that there was constructive benefit in removing community representatives at this late stage of consultation. The DEP has advised that the core committee representation on the Cockburn Cement Ltd community working group has remained essentially unchanged since its formation in September 2002. There have been changes in the original community membership; however, these changes have been initiated at the request of the members themselves and determined through the chair in consultation with the group. In all instances, the community members who left the group were replaced by members of their own choosing. (2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
The PRESIDENT: I believe the second part of the question is not in order but I will leave it to the minister to consider all parts of the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provides the following response - (1) The Minister for the Environment has received correspondence from community members expressing concern about Department of Environmental Protection processes in relation to representation on the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee. The minister has responded to these concerns expressing her disappointment that the process for creating the community consultative committee was not clearly set out and implemented in a manner that was transparent to all members of the community. While this process must, and will, be improved for any future consultative committees that the DEP initiates, the minister does not believe that there was constructive benefit in removing community representatives at this late stage of consultation. The DEP has advised that the core committee representation on the Cockburn Cement Ltd community working group has remained essentially unchanged since its formation in September 2002. There have been changes in the original community membership; however, these changes have been initiated at the request of the members themselves and determined through the chair in consultation with the group. In all instances, the community members who left the group were replaced by members of their own choosing. (2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provides the following response - (1) The Minister for the Environment has received correspondence from community members expressing concern about Department of Environmental Protection processes in relation to representation on the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee. The minister has responded to these concerns expressing her disappointment that the process for creating the community consultative committee was not clearly set out and implemented in a manner that was transparent to all members of the community. While this process must, and will, be improved for any future consultative committees that the DEP initiates, the minister does not believe that there was constructive benefit in removing community representatives at this late stage of consultation. The DEP has advised that the core committee representation on the Cockburn Cement Ltd community working group has remained essentially unchanged since its formation in September 2002. There have been changes in the original community membership; however, these changes have been initiated at the request of the members themselves and determined through the chair in consultation with the group. In all instances, the community members who left the group were replaced by members of their own choosing. (2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
The Minister for the Environment provides the following response - (1) The Minister for the Environment has received correspondence from community members expressing concern about Department of Environmental Protection processes in relation to representation on the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee. The minister has responded to these concerns expressing her disappointment that the process for creating the community consultative committee was not clearly set out and implemented in a manner that was transparent to all members of the community. While this process must, and will, be improved for any future consultative committees that the DEP initiates, the minister does not believe that there was constructive benefit in removing community representatives at this late stage of consultation. The DEP has advised that the core committee representation on the Cockburn Cement Ltd community working group has remained essentially unchanged since its formation in September 2002. There have been changes in the original community membership; however, these changes have been initiated at the request of the members themselves and determined through the chair in consultation with the group. In all instances, the community members who left the group were replaced by members of their own choosing. (2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
(1) The Minister for the Environment has received correspondence from community members expressing concern about Department of Environmental Protection processes in relation to representation on the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee. The minister has responded to these concerns expressing her disappointment that the process for creating the community consultative committee was not clearly set out and implemented in a manner that was transparent to all members of the community. While this process must, and will, be improved for any future consultative committees that the DEP initiates, the minister does not believe that there was constructive benefit in removing community representatives at this late stage of consultation. The DEP has advised that the core committee representation on the Cockburn Cement Ltd community working group has remained essentially unchanged since its formation in September 2002. There have been changes in the original community membership; however, these changes have been initiated at the request of the members themselves and determined through the chair in consultation with the group. In all instances, the community members who left the group were replaced by members of their own choosing. (2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
(2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
(3) Answered by (1) and (2).
(2) Why does the DEP plan to formalise the current procedurally unjust and undemocratically established community committee into an environmental improvement plan committee whilst a Western Australian model for an EIP has not yet been established? (3) Is the Minister for the Environment investigating the above issues? The PRESIDENT: I believe the second part of the question is not in order but I will leave it to the minister to consider all parts of the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provides the following response - (1) The Minister for the Environment has received correspondence from community members expressing concern about Department of Environmental Protection processes in relation to representation on the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee. The minister has responded to these concerns expressing her disappointment that the process for creating the community consultative committee was not clearly set out and implemented in a manner that was transparent to all members of the community. While this process must, and will, be improved for any future consultative committees that the DEP initiates, the minister does not believe that there was constructive benefit in removing community representatives at this late stage of consultation. The DEP has advised that the core committee representation on the Cockburn Cement Ltd community working group has remained essentially unchanged since its formation in September 2002. There have been changes in the original community membership; however, these changes have been initiated at the request of the members themselves and determined through the chair in consultation with the group. In all instances, the community members who left the group were replaced by members of their own choosing. (2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
(3) Is the Minister for the Environment investigating the above issues? The PRESIDENT: I believe the second part of the question is not in order but I will leave it to the minister to consider all parts of the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provides the following response - (1) The Minister for the Environment has received correspondence from community members expressing concern about Department of Environmental Protection processes in relation to representation on the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee. The minister has responded to these concerns expressing her disappointment that the process for creating the community consultative committee was not clearly set out and implemented in a manner that was transparent to all members of the community. While this process must, and will, be improved for any future consultative committees that the DEP initiates, the minister does not believe that there was constructive benefit in removing community representatives at this late stage of consultation. The DEP has advised that the core committee representation on the Cockburn Cement Ltd community working group has remained essentially unchanged since its formation in September 2002. There have been changes in the original community membership; however, these changes have been initiated at the request of the members themselves and determined through the chair in consultation with the group. In all instances, the community members who left the group were replaced by members of their own choosing. (2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
The PRESIDENT: I believe the second part of the question is not in order but I will leave it to the minister to consider all parts of the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provides the following response - (1) The Minister for the Environment has received correspondence from community members expressing concern about Department of Environmental Protection processes in relation to representation on the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee. The minister has responded to these concerns expressing her disappointment that the process for creating the community consultative committee was not clearly set out and implemented in a manner that was transparent to all members of the community. While this process must, and will, be improved for any future consultative committees that the DEP initiates, the minister does not believe that there was constructive benefit in removing community representatives at this late stage of consultation. The DEP has advised that the core committee representation on the Cockburn Cement Ltd community working group has remained essentially unchanged since its formation in September 2002. There have been changes in the original community membership; however, these changes have been initiated at the request of the members themselves and determined through the chair in consultation with the group. In all instances, the community members who left the group were replaced by members of their own choosing. (2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment provides the following response - (1) The Minister for the Environment has received correspondence from community members expressing concern about Department of Environmental Protection processes in relation to representation on the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee. The minister has responded to these concerns expressing her disappointment that the process for creating the community consultative committee was not clearly set out and implemented in a manner that was transparent to all members of the community. While this process must, and will, be improved for any future consultative committees that the DEP initiates, the minister does not believe that there was constructive benefit in removing community representatives at this late stage of consultation. The DEP has advised that the core committee representation on the Cockburn Cement Ltd community working group has remained essentially unchanged since its formation in September 2002. There have been changes in the original community membership; however, these changes have been initiated at the request of the members themselves and determined through the chair in consultation with the group. In all instances, the community members who left the group were replaced by members of their own choosing. (2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
The Minister for the Environment provides the following response - (1) The Minister for the Environment has received correspondence from community members expressing concern about Department of Environmental Protection processes in relation to representation on the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee. The minister has responded to these concerns expressing her disappointment that the process for creating the community consultative committee was not clearly set out and implemented in a manner that was transparent to all members of the community. While this process must, and will, be improved for any future consultative committees that the DEP initiates, the minister does not believe that there was constructive benefit in removing community representatives at this late stage of consultation. The DEP has advised that the core committee representation on the Cockburn Cement Ltd community working group has remained essentially unchanged since its formation in September 2002. There have been changes in the original community membership; however, these changes have been initiated at the request of the members themselves and determined through the chair in consultation with the group. In all instances, the community members who left the group were replaced by members of their own choosing. (2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
(1) The Minister for the Environment has received correspondence from community members expressing concern about Department of Environmental Protection processes in relation to representation on the Cockburn Cement community consultative committee. The minister has responded to these concerns expressing her disappointment that the process for creating the community consultative committee was not clearly set out and implemented in a manner that was transparent to all members of the community. While this process must, and will, be improved for any future consultative committees that the DEP initiates, the minister does not believe that there was constructive benefit in removing community representatives at this late stage of consultation. The DEP has advised that the core committee representation on the Cockburn Cement Ltd community working group has remained essentially unchanged since its formation in September 2002. There have been changes in the original community membership; however, these changes have been initiated at the request of the members themselves and determined through the chair in consultation with the group. In all instances, the community members who left the group were replaced by members of their own choosing. (2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
(2) The context of the member’s question is not clear. There is no intention that the current group will become an EIP or tripartite committee or subvert a democratic process. (3) Answered by (1) and (2).
(3) Answered by (1) and (2).
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