❓ A parliamentary question regarding the lining of fracking fluid return ponds to prevent environmental contamination. The Minister's response confirms the practice of lining ponds with HDPE or PVC, but includes a dismissive and somewhat combative exchange.
AnsweredQoN 593Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
LINE FRACTURE FLUID RETURN PONDS
I refer to the construction of ponds to hold regurgitated fraccing fluid. (1) Are these ponds lined prior to the fraccing fluid being pumped into them? (2) If yes to (1), with what material are these ponds lined? (3) If no to (1), please specify how these ponds are intended to keep contaminated water from entering the surrounding environment? Hon NORMAN MOORE
I refer to the construction of ponds to hold regurgitated fraccing fluid. (1) Are these ponds lined prior to the fraccing fluid being pumped into them? (2) If yes to (1), with what material are these ponds lined? (3) If no to (1), please specify how these ponds are intended to keep contaminated water from entering the surrounding environment? Hon NORMAN MOORE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Current practice within the Department of Mines and Petroleum is to ensure that operators commit to line fracture fluid return ponds prior to acceptance of an environmental management plan for hydraulic fracturing. (2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
(1) Are these ponds lined prior to the fraccing fluid being pumped into them? (2) If yes to (1), with what material are these ponds lined? (3) If no to (1), please specify how these ponds are intended to keep contaminated water from entering the surrounding environment? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Current practice within the Department of Mines and Petroleum is to ensure that operators commit to line fracture fluid return ponds prior to acceptance of an environmental management plan for hydraulic fracturing. (2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
(2) If yes to (1), with what material are these ponds lined? (3) If no to (1), please specify how these ponds are intended to keep contaminated water from entering the surrounding environment? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Current practice within the Department of Mines and Petroleum is to ensure that operators commit to line fracture fluid return ponds prior to acceptance of an environmental management plan for hydraulic fracturing. (2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
(3) If no to (1), please specify how these ponds are intended to keep contaminated water from entering the surrounding environment? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Current practice within the Department of Mines and Petroleum is to ensure that operators commit to line fracture fluid return ponds prior to acceptance of an environmental management plan for hydraulic fracturing. (2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Current practice within the Department of Mines and Petroleum is to ensure that operators commit to line fracture fluid return ponds prior to acceptance of an environmental management plan for hydraulic fracturing. (2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Current practice within the Department of Mines and Petroleum is to ensure that operators commit to line fracture fluid return ponds prior to acceptance of an environmental management plan for hydraulic fracturing. (2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
(1) Current practice within the Department of Mines and Petroleum is to ensure that operators commit to line fracture fluid return ponds prior to acceptance of an environmental management plan for hydraulic fracturing. (2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
(2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
(3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
(1) Are these ponds lined prior to the fraccing fluid being pumped into them? (2) If yes to (1), with what material are these ponds lined? (3) If no to (1), please specify how these ponds are intended to keep contaminated water from entering the surrounding environment? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Current practice within the Department of Mines and Petroleum is to ensure that operators commit to line fracture fluid return ponds prior to acceptance of an environmental management plan for hydraulic fracturing. (2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
(2) If yes to (1), with what material are these ponds lined? (3) If no to (1), please specify how these ponds are intended to keep contaminated water from entering the surrounding environment? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Current practice within the Department of Mines and Petroleum is to ensure that operators commit to line fracture fluid return ponds prior to acceptance of an environmental management plan for hydraulic fracturing. (2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
(3) If no to (1), please specify how these ponds are intended to keep contaminated water from entering the surrounding environment? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Current practice within the Department of Mines and Petroleum is to ensure that operators commit to line fracture fluid return ponds prior to acceptance of an environmental management plan for hydraulic fracturing. (2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Current practice within the Department of Mines and Petroleum is to ensure that operators commit to line fracture fluid return ponds prior to acceptance of an environmental management plan for hydraulic fracturing. (2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Current practice within the Department of Mines and Petroleum is to ensure that operators commit to line fracture fluid return ponds prior to acceptance of an environmental management plan for hydraulic fracturing. (2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
(1) Current practice within the Department of Mines and Petroleum is to ensure that operators commit to line fracture fluid return ponds prior to acceptance of an environmental management plan for hydraulic fracturing. (2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
(2) Fracture fluid return ponds are lined with high-density polyethylene, HDPE, or polyvinylchloride, PVC, liners and are frequently lined with multiple layers. This may include intermediate geotextile layers to reduce the likelihood of the lining perforating. (3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
(3) Not applicable. I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
I again offer the member a thorough briefing on this issue so she does not continue — Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
Hon Alison Xamon : To ask questions! Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
Hon NORMAN MOORE : — to frighten the people of Western Australia. Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
Hon Alison Xamon : It’s okay; I’m not getting any answers anyway. Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
Hon NORMAN MOORE : You’re worried about a bit of knowledge, aren’t you?
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.