❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the establishment and resourcing of a new Environmental Enforcement Unit, with the Minister's response outlining progress and resource allocation.
AnsweredQoN 584Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a media statement by Hon Judy Edwards MLA Minister for Environment and Heritage dated February 22 2003 titled ‘New Environmental Enforcement Unit to bolster environmental protection’ -
(1) Can the Minister state on what date the principal investigator, senior prosecutor, legal officer, senior investigations officer, three investigations officers and two licence review officers will commence in their positions?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Can the Minister state where in what locations will the New Enforcement Unit be based?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Will the new enforcement unit have more than adequate financial resources to be able to travel over the state to investigate pollution in the Goldfields, Pilbara regions?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) If yes to (5), how much in monetary terms has been allocated for travel and accommodation to visit the Goldfields and Pilbara regions?
(8) Can the Minister state why it is very clear the community is expecting and demanding higher levels of environmental protection?
(9) If no to (8), why not?
(1) Can the Minister state on what date the principal investigator, senior prosecutor, legal officer, senior investigations officer, three investigations officers and two licence review officers will commence in their positions?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Can the Minister state where in what locations will the New Enforcement Unit be based?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Will the new enforcement unit have more than adequate financial resources to be able to travel over the state to investigate pollution in the Goldfields, Pilbara regions?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) If yes to (5), how much in monetary terms has been allocated for travel and accommodation to visit the Goldfields and Pilbara regions?
(8) Can the Minister state why it is very clear the community is expecting and demanding higher levels of environmental protection?
(9) If no to (8), 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) Not at this time. The recruitment process is underway commensurate with public sector guidelines.
(2) The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is progressing the appointments as quickly as possible. Position statements and classifications are being fast tracked so that advertisements for the senior legal positions can be placed in the next two weeks and appointments made by end of April 2003.
(3) The new Enforcement Unit will be based in Perth. However, licensing activities are undertaken throughout the State by staff located in regional areas and so staff from the new unit will be involved in activities state-wide.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) Yes. The new Enforcement Unit will have adequate resources to investigate significant pollution issues or breaches throughout the state including the Goldfields and the Pilbara.
(6) Not applicable.
(7) The Enforcement Unit has approximately $350,000 per annum in operational funds to undertake their duties. These funds will be used on priority investigations or prosecutions and cover issues wsuch as sample collection, analysis, specialist advice and travel to regional locations.
(8) After eight years of under-enforcement due to a lack of adequate resources, policy and leadership under the previous Liberal Government culminating in the Bellevue fire disaster, the community rightly expects stronger environmental protection.
(9) Not applicable.
(1) Not at this time. The recruitment process is underway commensurate with public sector guidelines.
(2) The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is progressing the appointments as quickly as possible. Position statements and classifications are being fast tracked so that advertisements for the senior legal positions can be placed in the next two weeks and appointments made by end of April 2003.
(3) The new Enforcement Unit will be based in Perth. However, licensing activities are undertaken throughout the State by staff located in regional areas and so staff from the new unit will be involved in activities state-wide.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) Yes. The new Enforcement Unit will have adequate resources to investigate significant pollution issues or breaches throughout the state including the Goldfields and the Pilbara.
(6) Not applicable.
(7) The Enforcement Unit has approximately $350,000 per annum in operational funds to undertake their duties. These funds will be used on priority investigations or prosecutions and cover issues wsuch as sample collection, analysis, specialist advice and travel to regional locations.
(8) After eight years of under-enforcement due to a lack of adequate resources, policy and leadership under the previous Liberal Government culminating in the Bellevue fire disaster, the community rightly expects stronger environmental protection.
(9) Not applicable.
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