A WA parliamentary question addresses the potential impact of Holcim Australia's quarry explosions on Aboriginal heritage sites on the Burrup Peninsula, questioning the existence of similar guidelines to those imposed on Rio Tinto and Woodside. The Minister acknowledges the potential for damage and commits to considering heritage protection in future approvals.

AnsweredQoN 334Legislative Council
Asked
17 May 2011
Portfolio
Indigenous Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

HOLCIM AUSTRALIA PTY LTD — EXPLOSIVE EVENT
I refer to an explosive event conducted by Holcim Australia Pty Ltd at its quarry on the Burrup Peninsula on the afternoon of 1 April 2011. (1) Are there any commitments or guidelines for Holcim Australia similar to those issued by Rio Tinto and Woodside for the vibration effect of explosions on the surrounding rock art and terraces on the Burrup Peninsula or the National Heritage-listed area? (2) If no to (1), why not? (3) Is the minister aware that explosions such as the one that occurred at the Holcim quarry dislodge boulders on the Burrup Peninsula? (4) If no to (3), will the minister avail himself of this information? (5) If yes to (3) and no to (1), what will the minister do about these activities? (6) Will the minister impose on Holcim Australia explosive impact guidelines similar to those used by Rio Tinto and Woodside? Hon PETER COLLIER

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Holcim has developed a blast management plan, which was submitted to the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority. (2) Not applicable. (3) I am aware that explosions have the potential to dislodge boulders in nearby areas. (4)–(5) Not applicable. (6) I will give due consideration to measures that will protect Aboriginal heritage sites when considering applications under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
(1) Are there any commitments or guidelines for Holcim Australia similar to those issued by Rio Tinto and Woodside for the vibration effect of explosions on the surrounding rock art and terraces on the Burrup Peninsula or the National Heritage-listed area? (2) If no to (1), why not? (3) Is the minister aware that explosions such as the one that occurred at the Holcim quarry dislodge boulders on the Burrup Peninsula? (4) If no to (3), will the minister avail himself of this information? (5) If yes to (3) and no to (1), what will the minister do about these activities? (6) Will the minister impose on Holcim Australia explosive impact guidelines similar to those used by Rio Tinto and Woodside? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Holcim has developed a blast management plan, which was submitted to the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority. (2) Not applicable. (3) I am aware that explosions have the potential to dislodge boulders in nearby areas. (4)–(5) Not applicable. (6) I will give due consideration to measures that will protect Aboriginal heritage sites when considering applications under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
(2) If no to (1), why not? (3) Is the minister aware that explosions such as the one that occurred at the Holcim quarry dislodge boulders on the Burrup Peninsula? (4) If no to (3), will the minister avail himself of this information? (5) If yes to (3) and no to (1), what will the minister do about these activities? (6) Will the minister impose on Holcim Australia explosive impact guidelines similar to those used by Rio Tinto and Woodside? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Holcim has developed a blast management plan, which was submitted to the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority. (2) Not applicable. (3) I am aware that explosions have the potential to dislodge boulders in nearby areas. (4)–(5) Not applicable. (6) I will give due consideration to measures that will protect Aboriginal heritage sites when considering applications under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
(3) Is the minister aware that explosions such as the one that occurred at the Holcim quarry dislodge boulders on the Burrup Peninsula? (4) If no to (3), will the minister avail himself of this information? (5) If yes to (3) and no to (1), what will the minister do about these activities? (6) Will the minister impose on Holcim Australia explosive impact guidelines similar to those used by Rio Tinto and Woodside? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Holcim has developed a blast management plan, which was submitted to the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority. (2) Not applicable. (3) I am aware that explosions have the potential to dislodge boulders in nearby areas. (4)–(5) Not applicable. (6) I will give due consideration to measures that will protect Aboriginal heritage sites when considering applications under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
(4) If no to (3), will the minister avail himself of this information? (5) If yes to (3) and no to (1), what will the minister do about these activities? (6) Will the minister impose on Holcim Australia explosive impact guidelines similar to those used by Rio Tinto and Woodside? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Holcim has developed a blast management plan, which was submitted to the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority. (2) Not applicable. (3) I am aware that explosions have the potential to dislodge boulders in nearby areas. (4)–(5) Not applicable. (6) I will give due consideration to measures that will protect Aboriginal heritage sites when considering applications under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
(5) If yes to (3) and no to (1), what will the minister do about these activities? (6) Will the minister impose on Holcim Australia explosive impact guidelines similar to those used by Rio Tinto and Woodside? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Holcim has developed a blast management plan, which was submitted to the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority. (2) Not applicable. (3) I am aware that explosions have the potential to dislodge boulders in nearby areas. (4)–(5) Not applicable. (6) I will give due consideration to measures that will protect Aboriginal heritage sites when considering applications under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
(6) Will the minister impose on Holcim Australia explosive impact guidelines similar to those used by Rio Tinto and Woodside? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Holcim has developed a blast management plan, which was submitted to the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority. (2) Not applicable. (3) I am aware that explosions have the potential to dislodge boulders in nearby areas. (4)–(5) Not applicable. (6) I will give due consideration to measures that will protect Aboriginal heritage sites when considering applications under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Holcim has developed a blast management plan, which was submitted to the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority. (2) Not applicable. (3) I am aware that explosions have the potential to dislodge boulders in nearby areas. (4)–(5) Not applicable. (6) I will give due consideration to measures that will protect Aboriginal heritage sites when considering applications under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Holcim has developed a blast management plan, which was submitted to the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority. (2) Not applicable. (3) I am aware that explosions have the potential to dislodge boulders in nearby areas. (4)–(5) Not applicable. (6) I will give due consideration to measures that will protect Aboriginal heritage sites when considering applications under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
(1) Holcim has developed a blast management plan, which was submitted to the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority. (2) Not applicable. (3) I am aware that explosions have the potential to dislodge boulders in nearby areas. (4)–(5) Not applicable. (6) I will give due consideration to measures that will protect Aboriginal heritage sites when considering applications under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
(2) Not applicable. (3) I am aware that explosions have the potential to dislodge boulders in nearby areas. (4)–(5) Not applicable. (6) I will give due consideration to measures that will protect Aboriginal heritage sites when considering applications under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
(3) I am aware that explosions have the potential to dislodge boulders in nearby areas. (4)–(5) Not applicable. (6) I will give due consideration to measures that will protect Aboriginal heritage sites when considering applications under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
(4)–(5) Not applicable. (6) I will give due consideration to measures that will protect Aboriginal heritage sites when considering applications under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
(6) I will give due consideration to measures that will protect Aboriginal heritage sites when considering applications under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more