❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses environmental concerns related to the Hanson Red Hill quarry and the Herne Hill quarry, including compliance with guidelines, public complaints, and rehabilitation efforts. The response indicates no breaches found by DEC since 2006 and outlines complaint investigation procedures.
AnsweredQoN 809Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Hanson Red Hill quarry, and ask -
(1) Is the Minister satisfied that all environmental guidelines and conditions applicable to quarrying operations at Red Hill quarry are currently defined in a way that is consistent with ready monitoring, and if appropriate, enforcement?
(2) How frequently does the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) assess the quarry operator’s level of compliance with environmental guidelines, licence conditions and other legal requirements relating to the DEC’s responsibility?
(3) By what means does the DEC assess the quarry operator’s level of compliance with environmental guidelines, licence conditions and further or other legal requirements applicable to its operations?
(4) On how many occasions since December 2006, has the DEC found the quarry operator of Red Hill quarry to be in breach of any environmental guideline, licence condition or further/other legal requirement applicable to its operations?
(5) Regarding each breach (if any) described in (4), please describe -
(a) the environmental guideline, licence condition or other legal requirement that was breached;
(b) the nature of the breach;
(c) any action taken by DEC against the quarry operator as a result of the breach;
(d) any rectification implemented by the quarry operator as a result of the breach; and
(e) the time taken between the original allegation of the breach and DEC’s finalisation of the complaint?
(6) Was Hanson required to pay a bond as part of the approval conditions for the Red Hill quarry?
(7) If yes to (6), -
(a) what was the value of the bond; and
(b) who holds the bond?
(8) If no to (6), why not?
(9) How many complaints about the Hanson Red Hill quarry have been made to the DEC by members of the public since 2006?
(10) For each complaint (if any) described in (9), please advise when the complaint was made and the complainant’s specific concerns?
(11) Is Hanson required to advise the DEC of complaints made directly to Hanson?
(12) If yes to (11), how many complaints about the quarry have been made to Hanson by members of the public since 2006?
(13) For each complaint (if any) described in (12), please advise when the complaint was made and the complainant’s specific concerns?
(14) What follow-up action did the DEC take in regards to the complaints referred to (please provide details for each complaint) in questions (9) to (13)?
(15) Were the members of the public advised of the outcomes of their complaints?
(16) Can the Minister advise what requirements currently apply in relation to the rehabilitation of the Herne Hill quarry (formally known as Pioneer Quarry 1), which we understand has not been actively mined for over nine years?
(17) Does the Minister consider that Hanson’s rehabilitation of the Herne Hill quarry currently meets all applicable environmental guidelines and conditions?
(18) Has the DEC performed an on-site visual inspection of the Herne Hill quarry rehabilitation?
(19) If yes to (18), when?
(20) Does the DEC liaise at any level with the Department of Minerals and Petroleum over any matter associated with the Herne Hill quarry?
(21) If yes to (20), what are those matters?
(1) Is the Minister satisfied that all environmental guidelines and conditions applicable to quarrying operations at Red Hill quarry are currently defined in a way that is consistent with ready monitoring, and if appropriate, enforcement?
(2) How frequently does the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) assess the quarry operator’s level of compliance with environmental guidelines, licence conditions and other legal requirements relating to the DEC’s responsibility?
(3) By what means does the DEC assess the quarry operator’s level of compliance with environmental guidelines, licence conditions and further or other legal requirements applicable to its operations?
(4) On how many occasions since December 2006, has the DEC found the quarry operator of Red Hill quarry to be in breach of any environmental guideline, licence condition or further/other legal requirement applicable to its operations?
(5) Regarding each breach (if any) described in (4), please describe -
(a) the environmental guideline, licence condition or other legal requirement that was breached;
(b) the nature of the breach;
(c) any action taken by DEC against the quarry operator as a result of the breach;
(d) any rectification implemented by the quarry operator as a result of the breach; and
(e) the time taken between the original allegation of the breach and DEC’s finalisation of the complaint?
(6) Was Hanson required to pay a bond as part of the approval conditions for the Red Hill quarry?
(7) If yes to (6), -
(a) what was the value of the bond; and
(b) who holds the bond?
(8) If no to (6), why not?
(9) How many complaints about the Hanson Red Hill quarry have been made to the DEC by members of the public since 2006?
(10) For each complaint (if any) described in (9), please advise when the complaint was made and the complainant’s specific concerns?
(11) Is Hanson required to advise the DEC of complaints made directly to Hanson?
(12) If yes to (11), how many complaints about the quarry have been made to Hanson by members of the public since 2006?
(13) For each complaint (if any) described in (12), please advise when the complaint was made and the complainant’s specific concerns?
(14) What follow-up action did the DEC take in regards to the complaints referred to (please provide details for each complaint) in questions (9) to (13)?
(15) Were the members of the public advised of the outcomes of their complaints?
(16) Can the Minister advise what requirements currently apply in relation to the rehabilitation of the Herne Hill quarry (formally known as Pioneer Quarry 1), which we understand has not been actively mined for over nine years?
(17) Does the Minister consider that Hanson’s rehabilitation of the Herne Hill quarry currently meets all applicable environmental guidelines and conditions?
(18) Has the DEC performed an on-site visual inspection of the Herne Hill quarry rehabilitation?
(19) If yes to (18), when?
(20) Does the DEC liaise at any level with the Department of Minerals and Petroleum over any matter associated with the Herne Hill quarry?
(21) If yes to (20), what are those matters?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 August 2009
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
64 days
1. Ministerial Statement 199 was issued by the then Minister for the Environment on 5 December 1991, and amended by Ministerial Statement 705 (21 December 2005), which set the environmental conditions for the Herne Hill Quarry Operation (which includes the quarry known as Red Hill quarry). These conditions are considered to be adequate for monitoring purposes and, where appropriate, enforcement action.
2. The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) undertakes a desktop audit of environmental conditions set by the Minister under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, and reviews the annual monitoring report submitted each year by the proponent, Hanson Constructions Materials Pty Ltd.
Crushing and screening is licensed under Part V of the Act. The screening of material over 50,000 tonnes per year is regulated under Schedule 1 (Category 12) of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Crushing and screening at this facility is considered low-risk and inspections are generally carried out every three years. However, a number of inspections have been carried out in both 2008 and 2009 as a result of investigating complaints and compliance with Ministerial and licence conditions.
3. See the answer to (2).
4. A search of DEC's compliance databases indicates that DEC has found no breaches of the Ministerial and licence conditions since 2006.
5. (a)-(e) Not applicable.
6. No.
7.(a)-(b) Not applicable.
8. Ministerial Statements 199 and 705 did not require a financial bond from the proponent as part of the approval conditions.
9. Five complaints were made direct to DEC.
10. 14/2/2006 native vegetation clearing
30/5/2006 noise relating to blasting
18/7/2008 turbidity in Susannah Brook
19/9/2008 dust from the quarrying operation
20/7/2009 water run-off from the quarry following a storm
11. No. However, the proponent does provide an annual compliance report to DEC which includes the number of complaints made direct to Hanson and the company's response to those complaints.
12. An examination of Hanson's annual compliance reports for 2006, 2007 and 2008 held by DEC shows that 18 complaints have been made direct to Hanson.
13. 9/5/2006 Blasting
2/3/2007 Rock from truck fell and cracked car windshield
21/3/2007 Vibration of windows
12/4/2007 Truck on Campersic Road
23/4/2007 Blasting
24/4/2007 Blasting
26/4/2007 Truck with different driver on Campersic Road
6/11/2007 Dust from quarry on Toodyay Road
18/7/2008 Turbidity in Susannah Brook
1/8/2008 Increase of traffic on Toodyay Road
20/8/2008 Truck on Campersic Road
21/8/2008 Truck on Campersic Road
21/8/2008 Three complaints - two about blasting and one about visible dust
21/8/2008 Truck on Campersic Road.
3/9/2008 Blasting
28/9/2008 Blasting - damage to house
14. DEC investigates the complaints it receives direct from the public.
14/2/2006 DEC's investigation found that there was an exemption under Schedule 6 of the Environmental Protection Act and no unauthorised clearing had occurred.
30/5/2006 Monitoring results, provided by Hanson and reviewed by DEC, indicated that the blasting was within the noise limits under the Environmental Protection Regulations 1997.
18/7/2008 DEC's investigation found that stream turbidity upstream of the quarry operations was the same as the turbidity downstream, concluding that the quarry was not the source.
19/9/2008 DEC visited the site to investigate a complaint about black dust. DEC's investigation indicated that no quarrying for black material had been undertaken during the complaint period.
20/7/2009 DEC's investigation found that stream turbidity upstream of the quarry operations was the same as the turbidity downstream, concluding that the quarry was not the source.
Complaints received direct by the proponent are investigated by the proponent. DEC reviews the complaints on receipt of the proponent's annual compliance report and monitors the proponent's management of the complaints. DEC is satisfied with Hanson's management of these complaints to date.
15. Yes, DEC advises complainants of the outcomes of its investigation of complaints.
16. The Environmental Protection Authority approved a Herne Hill Rehabilitation Plan in 1997 for Pioneer No. 1 and No. 2 quarries. The commitments in this plan are still required to be implemented, including for Quarry 1 even though it is not operational, and a monitoring report is submitted each year.
17. Hanson has provided information to DEC which indicates that it is undertaking the rehabilitation works in accordance with the approved rehabilitation plan.
18. Yes.
19. 25 November 2008.
20. No. The Department of Mines and Petroleum does not regulate quarry operations.
21. Not applicable.
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2. The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) undertakes a desktop audit of environmental conditions set by the Minister under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, and reviews the annual monitoring report submitted each year by the proponent, Hanson Constructions Materials Pty Ltd.
Crushing and screening is licensed under Part V of the Act. The screening of material over 50,000 tonnes per year is regulated under Schedule 1 (Category 12) of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Crushing and screening at this facility is considered low-risk and inspections are generally carried out every three years. However, a number of inspections have been carried out in both 2008 and 2009 as a result of investigating complaints and compliance with Ministerial and licence conditions.
3. See the answer to (2).
4. A search of DEC's compliance databases indicates that DEC has found no breaches of the Ministerial and licence conditions since 2006.
5. (a)-(e) Not applicable.
6. No.
7.(a)-(b) Not applicable.
8. Ministerial Statements 199 and 705 did not require a financial bond from the proponent as part of the approval conditions.
9. Five complaints were made direct to DEC.
10. 14/2/2006 native vegetation clearing
30/5/2006 noise relating to blasting
18/7/2008 turbidity in Susannah Brook
19/9/2008 dust from the quarrying operation
20/7/2009 water run-off from the quarry following a storm
11. No. However, the proponent does provide an annual compliance report to DEC which includes the number of complaints made direct to Hanson and the company's response to those complaints.
12. An examination of Hanson's annual compliance reports for 2006, 2007 and 2008 held by DEC shows that 18 complaints have been made direct to Hanson.
13. 9/5/2006 Blasting
2/3/2007 Rock from truck fell and cracked car windshield
21/3/2007 Vibration of windows
12/4/2007 Truck on Campersic Road
23/4/2007 Blasting
24/4/2007 Blasting
26/4/2007 Truck with different driver on Campersic Road
6/11/2007 Dust from quarry on Toodyay Road
18/7/2008 Turbidity in Susannah Brook
1/8/2008 Increase of traffic on Toodyay Road
20/8/2008 Truck on Campersic Road
21/8/2008 Truck on Campersic Road
21/8/2008 Three complaints - two about blasting and one about visible dust
21/8/2008 Truck on Campersic Road.
3/9/2008 Blasting
28/9/2008 Blasting - damage to house
14. DEC investigates the complaints it receives direct from the public.
14/2/2006 DEC's investigation found that there was an exemption under Schedule 6 of the Environmental Protection Act and no unauthorised clearing had occurred.
30/5/2006 Monitoring results, provided by Hanson and reviewed by DEC, indicated that the blasting was within the noise limits under the Environmental Protection Regulations 1997.
18/7/2008 DEC's investigation found that stream turbidity upstream of the quarry operations was the same as the turbidity downstream, concluding that the quarry was not the source.
19/9/2008 DEC visited the site to investigate a complaint about black dust. DEC's investigation indicated that no quarrying for black material had been undertaken during the complaint period.
20/7/2009 DEC's investigation found that stream turbidity upstream of the quarry operations was the same as the turbidity downstream, concluding that the quarry was not the source.
Complaints received direct by the proponent are investigated by the proponent. DEC reviews the complaints on receipt of the proponent's annual compliance report and monitors the proponent's management of the complaints. DEC is satisfied with Hanson's management of these complaints to date.
15. Yes, DEC advises complainants of the outcomes of its investigation of complaints.
16. The Environmental Protection Authority approved a Herne Hill Rehabilitation Plan in 1997 for Pioneer No. 1 and No. 2 quarries. The commitments in this plan are still required to be implemented, including for Quarry 1 even though it is not operational, and a monitoring report is submitted each year.
17. Hanson has provided information to DEC which indicates that it is undertaking the rehabilitation works in accordance with the approved rehabilitation plan.
18. Yes.
19. 25 November 2008.
20. No. The Department of Mines and Petroleum does not regulate quarry operations.
21. Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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