❓ A parliamentary question addresses public health protection from dust during contaminated site remediation and handling of hazardous materials, specifically at Esperance Port Authority. The government outlines relevant legislation, licensing conditions, and actions taken.
AnsweredQoN 173Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CONTAMINATED SITE REMEDIATIONS
(1) Under what authority, act or regulation, is the Western Australian public protected from adverse health impacts from dust liberated at contaminated site remediations or during the handling of hazardous and/or dangerous materials? (2) If none, why not? (3) What dust management controls were in place at the Esperance Port Authority during the recent handling and movement of mining products, including lead carbonate and nickel? (4) If none, why not? (5) What steps is the government taking to address these issues? Hon JON FORD
(1) Under what authority, act or regulation, is the Western Australian public protected from adverse health impacts from dust liberated at contaminated site remediations or during the handling of hazardous and/or dangerous materials? (2) If none, why not? (3) What dust management controls were in place at the Esperance Port Authority during the recent handling and movement of mining products, including lead carbonate and nickel? (4) If none, why not? (5) What steps is the government taking to address these issues? Hon JON FORD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(2) If none, why not? (3) What dust management controls were in place at the Esperance Port Authority during the recent handling and movement of mining products, including lead carbonate and nickel? (4) If none, why not? (5) What steps is the government taking to address these issues? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(3) What dust management controls were in place at the Esperance Port Authority during the recent handling and movement of mining products, including lead carbonate and nickel? (4) If none, why not? (5) What steps is the government taking to address these issues? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(4) If none, why not? (5) What steps is the government taking to address these issues? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(5) What steps is the government taking to address these issues? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(2) If none, why not? (3) What dust management controls were in place at the Esperance Port Authority during the recent handling and movement of mining products, including lead carbonate and nickel? (4) If none, why not? (5) What steps is the government taking to address these issues? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(3) What dust management controls were in place at the Esperance Port Authority during the recent handling and movement of mining products, including lead carbonate and nickel? (4) If none, why not? (5) What steps is the government taking to address these issues? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(4) If none, why not? (5) What steps is the government taking to address these issues? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(5) What steps is the government taking to address these issues? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(1) Under part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, causing pollution or material or serious environmental harm is an offence. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, a hazard abatement notice can be issued if a site is contaminated and there is a risk of harm to human health. The honourable member may also wish to refer this question to the minister responsible for the administration of the dangerous goods legislation. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(2) Not applicable. (3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(3) The Esperance Port Authority holds a licence under part V of the Environmental Protection Act for bulk materials loading or unloading. The licence contains conditions for dust management, which the Esperance Port Authority is required to comply with. (4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(4) Not applicable. (5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
(5) The government has appointed the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to coordinate action to remediate damage and mitigate any further threats to public health and the environment. This is the government’s first priority. The Department of Environment and Conservation is also conducting a review of the licence and conditions and investigating any possible breaches under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Carpenter government will support a parliamentary inquiry into the management of lead exports by the Esperance Port Authority.
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