❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about the impact of rainfall on the Gorgon project construction site on Barrow Island, specifically regarding potential toxicity and contamination of stygofauna and marine habitats. The Minister's response indicates minimal impact and low risk of contamination due to implemented protective measures.
AnsweredQoN 3622Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to ongoing operations on Barrow Island relating to the Gorgon project, and ask -
(1) Is it correct that recent high rainfall has had an adverse impact on the Gorgon construction site resulting in a swamp-like buildup of water at the site?
(2) If no to (1), how would the Minister describe the impact of the recent rainfall on the site?
(3) If yes to (1), has the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) conducted tests, as to the toxicity content of the water buildup affecting the site, and what were the results?
(4) If no to (3), has Chevron, or a contractor to Chevron, conducted tests as to the toxicity content of the water buildup affecting the site, and what were the results?
(5) Is it the Minister’s or the DEC’s understanding, that a buildup of water at the Gorgon construction site, may result in the contaminating adjacent stygofauna, and marine habitats?
(6) If no to (5), what is the DEC’s assessment of potential contamination risks at the Gorgon construction site at present?
(1) Is it correct that recent high rainfall has had an adverse impact on the Gorgon construction site resulting in a swamp-like buildup of water at the site?
(2) If no to (1), how would the Minister describe the impact of the recent rainfall on the site?
(3) If yes to (1), has the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) conducted tests, as to the toxicity content of the water buildup affecting the site, and what were the results?
(4) If no to (3), has Chevron, or a contractor to Chevron, conducted tests as to the toxicity content of the water buildup affecting the site, and what were the results?
(5) Is it the Minister’s or the DEC’s understanding, that a buildup of water at the Gorgon construction site, may result in the contaminating adjacent stygofauna, and marine habitats?
(6) If no to (5), what is the DEC’s assessment of potential contamination risks at the Gorgon construction site at present?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 April 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
29 days
(1-2) No. There was minimal impact on the construction site from recent rainfall, other than some temporary ponding of fresh water.
(3) The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has not conducted any toxicity testing on water build-up from recent rainfall. The majority of personnel, including island-based DEC officers, are demobilised from Barrow Island prior to a cyclone impact. Remobilisation was delayed due to the airport damage and the vast majority of water had either evaporated or run away by the time DEC returned to the island.
(4) Approved protective management measures are in place at the construction site and DEC has been advised that contamination has not been identified nor are impacts suspected. There was no reason to warrant testing of storm water for contamination, by either DEC or Chevron.
(5) No. DEC has been advised that impacts to soil and groundwater have not been identified at the site and DEC has no reason to believe that this rain event resulted in contamination of adjacent stygofauna or marine habitats. Groundwater and marine monitoring are regularly conducted on Barrow Island and in the surrounding waters, which would detect contamination should it have occurred.
(6) The risk of potential contamination is considered to be low. Hydrocarbons and other chemicals on the construction site are stored inside containers or other appropriate facilities, and are bunded to prevent discharge to the environment. Water build-up in bunded areas was either allowed to evaporate or, where it presented a safety risk, pumped out. Prior to pumping, an assessment was undertaken. If a sheen was detected, the water was passed through an oil/water separator prior to discharge.
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
(3) The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has not conducted any toxicity testing on water build-up from recent rainfall. The majority of personnel, including island-based DEC officers, are demobilised from Barrow Island prior to a cyclone impact. Remobilisation was delayed due to the airport damage and the vast majority of water had either evaporated or run away by the time DEC returned to the island.
(4) Approved protective management measures are in place at the construction site and DEC has been advised that contamination has not been identified nor are impacts suspected. There was no reason to warrant testing of storm water for contamination, by either DEC or Chevron.
(5) No. DEC has been advised that impacts to soil and groundwater have not been identified at the site and DEC has no reason to believe that this rain event resulted in contamination of adjacent stygofauna or marine habitats. Groundwater and marine monitoring are regularly conducted on Barrow Island and in the surrounding waters, which would detect contamination should it have occurred.
(6) The risk of potential contamination is considered to be low. Hydrocarbons and other chemicals on the construction site are stored inside containers or other appropriate facilities, and are bunded to prevent discharge to the environment. Water build-up in bunded areas was either allowed to evaporate or, where it presented a safety risk, pumped out. Prior to pumping, an assessment was undertaken. If a sheen was detected, the water was passed through an oil/water separator prior to discharge.
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
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.