A WA parliamentary question addresses reported toxic gas releases at the Tiwest chemical plant in Kwinana. The Minister clarifies that the incident was investigated by the Department of Mines and Petroleum as an occupational safety and health issue, not an environmental one.

AnsweredQoN 128Legislative Council
Asked
20 April 2010
Portfolio
Environment

QuestionView source ↗

TIWEST CHEMICAL PLANT — REPORTED CHEMICAL RELEASES
I refer the minister to the highly toxic gas releases that have recently been reported at the Tiwest chemical plant in Kwinana. (1) Has the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the reported chemical releases? (2) If yes to (1), what action has been taken? (3) If no to (1), why not? Hon DONNA FARAGHER

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of the question, dated 31 March. (1)–(3) Although the Tiwest Joint Venture Kwinana pigment plant is licensed under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, I am advised by the Department of the Environment and Conservation that the alleged incident related to an occupational safety and health issue resulting from construction activities. I have been advised that this matter was investigated by the Department of Mines and Petroleum and the equipment responsible for the release of gas has been repaired.
(1) Has the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the reported chemical releases? (2) If yes to (1), what action has been taken? (3) If no to (1), why not? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, dated 31 March. (1)–(3) Although the Tiwest Joint Venture Kwinana pigment plant is licensed under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, I am advised by the Department of the Environment and Conservation that the alleged incident related to an occupational safety and health issue resulting from construction activities. I have been advised that this matter was investigated by the Department of Mines and Petroleum and the equipment responsible for the release of gas has been repaired.
(2) If yes to (1), what action has been taken? (3) If no to (1), why not? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, dated 31 March. (1)–(3) Although the Tiwest Joint Venture Kwinana pigment plant is licensed under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, I am advised by the Department of the Environment and Conservation that the alleged incident related to an occupational safety and health issue resulting from construction activities. I have been advised that this matter was investigated by the Department of Mines and Petroleum and the equipment responsible for the release of gas has been repaired.
(3) If no to (1), why not? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, dated 31 March. (1)–(3) Although the Tiwest Joint Venture Kwinana pigment plant is licensed under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, I am advised by the Department of the Environment and Conservation that the alleged incident related to an occupational safety and health issue resulting from construction activities. I have been advised that this matter was investigated by the Department of Mines and Petroleum and the equipment responsible for the release of gas has been repaired.
Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, dated 31 March. (1)–(3) Although the Tiwest Joint Venture Kwinana pigment plant is licensed under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, I am advised by the Department of the Environment and Conservation that the alleged incident related to an occupational safety and health issue resulting from construction activities. I have been advised that this matter was investigated by the Department of Mines and Petroleum and the equipment responsible for the release of gas has been repaired.
I thank the member for some notice of the question, dated 31 March. (1)–(3) Although the Tiwest Joint Venture Kwinana pigment plant is licensed under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, I am advised by the Department of the Environment and Conservation that the alleged incident related to an occupational safety and health issue resulting from construction activities. I have been advised that this matter was investigated by the Department of Mines and Petroleum and the equipment responsible for the release of gas has been repaired.
(1)–(3) Although the Tiwest Joint Venture Kwinana pigment plant is licensed under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, I am advised by the Department of the Environment and Conservation that the alleged incident related to an occupational safety and health issue resulting from construction activities. I have been advised that this matter was investigated by the Department of Mines and Petroleum and the equipment responsible for the release of gas has been repaired.

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