❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the Port Geographe development, focusing on compliance with environmental approvals, hydrogen sulphide levels, and community consultation. The Minister's response outlines actions being taken and ongoing investigations.
AnsweredQoN 774Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Port Geographe development in Busselton, and ask -
(1) What action is the Minister taking to ensure that the development is brought into compliance with the Ministerial Environment Approval conditions?
(2) In view of the evidence that the assumptions on which the four year Management Plan was based are incorrect, what action is the Minister taking to ensure that this year’s works program is modified accordingly?
(3) In view of the recently released information that during the 2008 bypassing works hydrogen sulphide levels recorded at residents’ houses exceeded acceptable levels set by the World Health Organisation, -
(a) what action is the Minister taking to ensure that there is no repeat of these high and unacceptable hydrogen sulphide levels during this year’s works; and
(b) what measures are being put in place to protect residents’ health from these harmful hydrogen sulphide levels?
(4) Will the Minister meet with representatives of the Port Geographe Action Group to discuss their concerns with this development?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(1) What action is the Minister taking to ensure that the development is brought into compliance with the Ministerial Environment Approval conditions?
(2) In view of the evidence that the assumptions on which the four year Management Plan was based are incorrect, what action is the Minister taking to ensure that this year’s works program is modified accordingly?
(3) In view of the recently released information that during the 2008 bypassing works hydrogen sulphide levels recorded at residents’ houses exceeded acceptable levels set by the World Health Organisation, -
(a) what action is the Minister taking to ensure that there is no repeat of these high and unacceptable hydrogen sulphide levels during this year’s works; and
(b) what measures are being put in place to protect residents’ health from these harmful hydrogen sulphide levels?
(4) Will the Minister meet with representatives of the Port Geographe Action Group to discuss their concerns with this development?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 August 2009
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
83 days
(1)I have been advised by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) that the key issue is the alignment of WonnerupBeach, which is detrimentally impacted by the design of the harbour entrance. Changes to coastal structures are required to achieve the required alignment at WonnerupBeach.
The proponent submitted a proposal to the then Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) for modifications to coastal structures at WonnerupBeach, which is currently being assessed. In addition, the Universityof Western Australiais leading a study investigating seagrass wrack movement within GeographeBay. This study is expected to be completed in February 2010. The outcome of this study, and subsequent modelling of proposed changes to coastal structures, is regarded as essential before decisions are made about future modifications to coastal structures. Outcomes of the modelling will indicate actions that can be taken by the proponent to achieve compliance with Ministerial Statement 391.
DEC has advised me that these measures are necessary to achieve compliance and the proponent is undertaking sand bypassing to mitigate the beach erosion. The proponent is waiting for the outcomes of the modelling prior to implementing further corrective works.
DEC is represented on the Port Geographe Consultative Committee, which includes the developer, DPI and the Shire of Busselton. The Committee is working to ensure that these measures are completed to comply with Ministerial conditions for the Port Geographe development.
(2)The four-year works program, which commenced in 2006, is regularly reviewed by the Port Geographe Consultative Committee and, where necessary, improvements are made to the program to minimise impacts from sand and seagrass bypassing. This program will conclude at the end of 2009 and the Port Geographe Consultative Committee is discussing a future works program.
To address erosion issues at WonnerupBeach, the proponent is bypassing significant amounts of sand from the western side of the groynes, while waiting for the outcomes of the seagrass study and modelling prior to implementing further corrective works at WonnerupBeach.
(3)(a) The Department of Health (DoH) was asked by DEC and stakeholders to review the hydrogen sulfide monitoring results collected during the 2008 bypassing works. DoH has released the findings of this review and recommended that the Port Geographe Consultative Committee is the most appropriate group to manage odour issues associated with the bypassing works. DoH is providing advice to the Port Geographe Consultative Committee on management options for hydrogen sulfide, including the preparation of an odour management plan.
(b) The proponent, as a member of the Port Geographe Consultative Committee and with input from DoH, is developing an odour management plan for the 2009 sand and seagrass bypassing program. The proponent has submitted a number of options for timing of the bypass works to the Port Geographe Community Consultation Forum, which has been established by the Minister for Planning. The Port Geographe Community Consultation Forum is yet to indicate a preferred timing option.
(4) I met with the Chair of the Port Geographe Action Group, Ms Judy Clarke, on
27 May 2009 to discuss this development.
(5) Not applicable.
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The proponent submitted a proposal to the then Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) for modifications to coastal structures at WonnerupBeach, which is currently being assessed. In addition, the Universityof Western Australiais leading a study investigating seagrass wrack movement within GeographeBay. This study is expected to be completed in February 2010. The outcome of this study, and subsequent modelling of proposed changes to coastal structures, is regarded as essential before decisions are made about future modifications to coastal structures. Outcomes of the modelling will indicate actions that can be taken by the proponent to achieve compliance with Ministerial Statement 391.
DEC has advised me that these measures are necessary to achieve compliance and the proponent is undertaking sand bypassing to mitigate the beach erosion. The proponent is waiting for the outcomes of the modelling prior to implementing further corrective works.
DEC is represented on the Port Geographe Consultative Committee, which includes the developer, DPI and the Shire of Busselton. The Committee is working to ensure that these measures are completed to comply with Ministerial conditions for the Port Geographe development.
(2)The four-year works program, which commenced in 2006, is regularly reviewed by the Port Geographe Consultative Committee and, where necessary, improvements are made to the program to minimise impacts from sand and seagrass bypassing. This program will conclude at the end of 2009 and the Port Geographe Consultative Committee is discussing a future works program.
To address erosion issues at WonnerupBeach, the proponent is bypassing significant amounts of sand from the western side of the groynes, while waiting for the outcomes of the seagrass study and modelling prior to implementing further corrective works at WonnerupBeach.
(3)(a) The Department of Health (DoH) was asked by DEC and stakeholders to review the hydrogen sulfide monitoring results collected during the 2008 bypassing works. DoH has released the findings of this review and recommended that the Port Geographe Consultative Committee is the most appropriate group to manage odour issues associated with the bypassing works. DoH is providing advice to the Port Geographe Consultative Committee on management options for hydrogen sulfide, including the preparation of an odour management plan.
(b) The proponent, as a member of the Port Geographe Consultative Committee and with input from DoH, is developing an odour management plan for the 2009 sand and seagrass bypassing program. The proponent has submitted a number of options for timing of the bypass works to the Port Geographe Community Consultation Forum, which has been established by the Minister for Planning. The Port Geographe Community Consultation Forum is yet to indicate a preferred timing option.
(4) I met with the Chair of the Port Geographe Action Group, Ms Judy Clarke, on
27 May 2009 to discuss this development.
(5) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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