❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses environmental concerns regarding industrial development in Cockburn Sound, specifically the desalination plant discharge, environmental protection policies, and a moratorium on new projects. The Minister's response indicates existing policies and monitoring are in place.
AnsweredQoN 619Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
COCKBURN SOUND
I refer to industrial development and the future of Cockburn Sound. (1) Will the minister ask the Environmental Protection Authority to provide advice on moving the desalination plant’s concentrated seawater discharge outlets to a point outside of Cockburn Sound? (2) If no to (1), why not? (3) Will the minister implement an environmental protection policy for Cockburn Sound to provide statutory protection for the area? (4) If no to (3), why not? (5) Will the minister consider a moratorium on approving new projects that add to the environmental load on Cockburn Sound? (6) If no to (5), why not? (7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
I refer to industrial development and the future of Cockburn Sound. (1) Will the minister ask the Environmental Protection Authority to provide advice on moving the desalination plant’s concentrated seawater discharge outlets to a point outside of Cockburn Sound? (2) If no to (1), why not? (3) Will the minister implement an environmental protection policy for Cockburn Sound to provide statutory protection for the area? (4) If no to (3), why not? (5) Will the minister consider a moratorium on approving new projects that add to the environmental load on Cockburn Sound? (6) If no to (5), why not? (7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(1) Will the minister ask the Environmental Protection Authority to provide advice on moving the desalination plant’s concentrated seawater discharge outlets to a point outside of Cockburn Sound? (2) If no to (1), why not? (3) Will the minister implement an environmental protection policy for Cockburn Sound to provide statutory protection for the area? (4) If no to (3), why not? (5) Will the minister consider a moratorium on approving new projects that add to the environmental load on Cockburn Sound? (6) If no to (5), why not? (7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(2) If no to (1), why not? (3) Will the minister implement an environmental protection policy for Cockburn Sound to provide statutory protection for the area? (4) If no to (3), why not? (5) Will the minister consider a moratorium on approving new projects that add to the environmental load on Cockburn Sound? (6) If no to (5), why not? (7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(3) Will the minister implement an environmental protection policy for Cockburn Sound to provide statutory protection for the area? (4) If no to (3), why not? (5) Will the minister consider a moratorium on approving new projects that add to the environmental load on Cockburn Sound? (6) If no to (5), why not? (7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(4) If no to (3), why not? (5) Will the minister consider a moratorium on approving new projects that add to the environmental load on Cockburn Sound? (6) If no to (5), why not? (7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(5) Will the minister consider a moratorium on approving new projects that add to the environmental load on Cockburn Sound? (6) If no to (5), why not? (7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(6) If no to (5), why not? (7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(1) Will the minister ask the Environmental Protection Authority to provide advice on moving the desalination plant’s concentrated seawater discharge outlets to a point outside of Cockburn Sound? (2) If no to (1), why not? (3) Will the minister implement an environmental protection policy for Cockburn Sound to provide statutory protection for the area? (4) If no to (3), why not? (5) Will the minister consider a moratorium on approving new projects that add to the environmental load on Cockburn Sound? (6) If no to (5), why not? (7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(2) If no to (1), why not? (3) Will the minister implement an environmental protection policy for Cockburn Sound to provide statutory protection for the area? (4) If no to (3), why not? (5) Will the minister consider a moratorium on approving new projects that add to the environmental load on Cockburn Sound? (6) If no to (5), why not? (7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(3) Will the minister implement an environmental protection policy for Cockburn Sound to provide statutory protection for the area? (4) If no to (3), why not? (5) Will the minister consider a moratorium on approving new projects that add to the environmental load on Cockburn Sound? (6) If no to (5), why not? (7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(4) If no to (3), why not? (5) Will the minister consider a moratorium on approving new projects that add to the environmental load on Cockburn Sound? (6) If no to (5), why not? (7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(5) Will the minister consider a moratorium on approving new projects that add to the environmental load on Cockburn Sound? (6) If no to (5), why not? (7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(6) If no to (5), why not? (7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(7) When will the government commit to an in-depth study of the health of Cockburn Sound? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
I thank the member for some notice of this question and I provide a response on behalf of the Minister for the Environment - (1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(1)-(2) The desalination plant has been approved and under the conditions of approval will be subject to stringent monitoring requirements. If at any time monitoring indicates a need to review the conditions of approval including design and operation of the discharge outlet, this will be initiated. (3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(3)-(4) No. The government has an approved state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound and it is being implemented through the normal statutory processes. (5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(5)-(6) No. All new significant development proposals in Cockburn Sound are already subject to detailed environmental impact assessment and other approvals before they can proceed. This includes consideration of cumulative impacts. (7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
(7) Cockburn Sound is already subject to extensive water quality and environmental health studies and monitoring. The state environment policy requires annual reporting on the state of the sound, and this is tabled in the Parliament.
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