❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses sulphur dioxide emissions impacting the Kurrawang Aboriginal community, questioning the Department of Environment's investigation and potential prosecution of offenders. The Minister's response indicates difficulties in identifying the source and confirms no breaches were found.
AnsweredQoN 2880Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a front page newspaper article which appeared in the
Kalgoorlie Miner
dated Wednesday, September 7 2005, titled ‘Major Blunder - Residents kept in the dark over sulphur emissions’ and the Editorial on page two titled ‘Well within rights’ concerning sulphur dioxide emissions which caused headaches, nausea to persons living at the Kurrawang Aboriginal community -
(1) Has the Department of Environment identified the alleged offender of this pollution incident?
(2) If yes to (1), who was the offender?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
(4) Will the Department of Environment prosecute the alleged offender for breaching licence conditions or the Environmental Protection Policy?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Will the Department prosecute any of the three companies named in the newspaper article for not having the legally required monitoring equipment and collection of data operational at the time in question so as to be able to identify the source of the pollution incident?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) Can the Minister explain why the Department was not able to quickly and easily identify the alleged offender from the monitoring equipment and collection of data that is required under licence conditions or the Environmental Protection Policy?
(9) If no to (8), why not?
(10) Has the Environmental Enforcement Unit visited Kurrawang and Kalgoorlie to investigate this pollution incident?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
(12) If yes to (10), on what specific dates did this occur?
(13) Does the Minister agree with the
Kalgoorlie Miner
editorial statement that ‘The Department has a duty to fully investigate this incident and those responsible for the contamination ought to face severe penalties’?
(14) If no to (13), why not?
(15) If yes to (13), what action is the Minister taking?
Kalgoorlie Miner
dated Wednesday, September 7 2005, titled ‘Major Blunder - Residents kept in the dark over sulphur emissions’ and the Editorial on page two titled ‘Well within rights’ concerning sulphur dioxide emissions which caused headaches, nausea to persons living at the Kurrawang Aboriginal community -
(1) Has the Department of Environment identified the alleged offender of this pollution incident?
(2) If yes to (1), who was the offender?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
(4) Will the Department of Environment prosecute the alleged offender for breaching licence conditions or the Environmental Protection Policy?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Will the Department prosecute any of the three companies named in the newspaper article for not having the legally required monitoring equipment and collection of data operational at the time in question so as to be able to identify the source of the pollution incident?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) Can the Minister explain why the Department was not able to quickly and easily identify the alleged offender from the monitoring equipment and collection of data that is required under licence conditions or the Environmental Protection Policy?
(9) If no to (8), why not?
(10) Has the Environmental Enforcement Unit visited Kurrawang and Kalgoorlie to investigate this pollution incident?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
(12) If yes to (10), on what specific dates did this occur?
(13) Does the Minister agree with the
Kalgoorlie Miner
editorial statement that ‘The Department has a duty to fully investigate this incident and those responsible for the contamination ought to face severe penalties’?
(14) If no to (13), why not?
(15) If yes to (13), what action is the Minister taking?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
1 December 2005
Responded by
Minister for Education and Training representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
21 days
The Minister for the Environment; Science has provided the following response: (1) No. (2) Not applicable. (3) Due to the light winds on the day, and variation in wind strength and direction at height, the Department of Environment (DoE) has not been able to identify a significant contributor to the emissions. There is also a possibility that a non-industrial source may have contributed to the event. (4) No. (5) There has been no breach of licence condition or the ' Environmental Protection Act 1986' . The DoE has verified the sulphur dioxide ambient level was below the limit of 0.25ppm for a 1-clock hour average set in Environmental Protection Policy. (6) No. (7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(1) No. (2) Not applicable. (3) Due to the light winds on the day, and variation in wind strength and direction at height, the Department of Environment (DoE) has not been able to identify a significant contributor to the emissions. There is also a possibility that a non-industrial source may have contributed to the event. (4) No. (5) There has been no breach of licence condition or the ' Environmental Protection Act 1986' . The DoE has verified the sulphur dioxide ambient level was below the limit of 0.25ppm for a 1-clock hour average set in Environmental Protection Policy. (6) No. (7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) Due to the light winds on the day, and variation in wind strength and direction at height, the Department of Environment (DoE) has not been able to identify a significant contributor to the emissions. There is also a possibility that a non-industrial source may have contributed to the event. (4) No. (5) There has been no breach of licence condition or the ' Environmental Protection Act 1986' . The DoE has verified the sulphur dioxide ambient level was below the limit of 0.25ppm for a 1-clock hour average set in Environmental Protection Policy. (6) No. (7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(3) Due to the light winds on the day, and variation in wind strength and direction at height, the Department of Environment (DoE) has not been able to identify a significant contributor to the emissions. There is also a possibility that a non-industrial source may have contributed to the event. (4) No. (5) There has been no breach of licence condition or the ' Environmental Protection Act 1986' . The DoE has verified the sulphur dioxide ambient level was below the limit of 0.25ppm for a 1-clock hour average set in Environmental Protection Policy. (6) No. (7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(4) No. (5) There has been no breach of licence condition or the ' Environmental Protection Act 1986' . The DoE has verified the sulphur dioxide ambient level was below the limit of 0.25ppm for a 1-clock hour average set in Environmental Protection Policy. (6) No. (7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(5) There has been no breach of licence condition or the ' Environmental Protection Act 1986' . The DoE has verified the sulphur dioxide ambient level was below the limit of 0.25ppm for a 1-clock hour average set in Environmental Protection Policy. (6) No. (7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(6) No. (7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(14-15) Not applicable.
(1) No. (2) Not applicable. (3) Due to the light winds on the day, and variation in wind strength and direction at height, the Department of Environment (DoE) has not been able to identify a significant contributor to the emissions. There is also a possibility that a non-industrial source may have contributed to the event. (4) No. (5) There has been no breach of licence condition or the ' Environmental Protection Act 1986' . The DoE has verified the sulphur dioxide ambient level was below the limit of 0.25ppm for a 1-clock hour average set in Environmental Protection Policy. (6) No. (7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) Due to the light winds on the day, and variation in wind strength and direction at height, the Department of Environment (DoE) has not been able to identify a significant contributor to the emissions. There is also a possibility that a non-industrial source may have contributed to the event. (4) No. (5) There has been no breach of licence condition or the ' Environmental Protection Act 1986' . The DoE has verified the sulphur dioxide ambient level was below the limit of 0.25ppm for a 1-clock hour average set in Environmental Protection Policy. (6) No. (7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(3) Due to the light winds on the day, and variation in wind strength and direction at height, the Department of Environment (DoE) has not been able to identify a significant contributor to the emissions. There is also a possibility that a non-industrial source may have contributed to the event. (4) No. (5) There has been no breach of licence condition or the ' Environmental Protection Act 1986' . The DoE has verified the sulphur dioxide ambient level was below the limit of 0.25ppm for a 1-clock hour average set in Environmental Protection Policy. (6) No. (7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(4) No. (5) There has been no breach of licence condition or the ' Environmental Protection Act 1986' . The DoE has verified the sulphur dioxide ambient level was below the limit of 0.25ppm for a 1-clock hour average set in Environmental Protection Policy. (6) No. (7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(5) There has been no breach of licence condition or the ' Environmental Protection Act 1986' . The DoE has verified the sulphur dioxide ambient level was below the limit of 0.25ppm for a 1-clock hour average set in Environmental Protection Policy. (6) No. (7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(6) No. (7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(7) According to the information collected to date, all three of the companies who are part of the monitoring network have complied with their monitoring requirements. The DoE will be considering if additional meteorological monitoring equipment is required to assist in future investigations. (8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(8) Yes. (9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(9) As per question (3), meteorological conditions in Kalgoorlie on the day in terms of wind direction and strength made it difficult to determine a significant contributor. Additional meteorological information is being examined to determine if this will assist in identifying a significant contributor. (10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(10) No. (11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(11) The Environmental Enforcement Unit has been providing technical assistance to DoE Regional staff on this investigation. (12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(12) Not applicable. (13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(13) Given that no breach of licence condition or the Environmental Protection Act 1986 has been found, no enforcement action is necessary. (14-15) Not applicable.
(14-15) Not applicable.
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