❓ Dr. Pettitt questions the government regarding Alcoa's Kwinana refinery, specifically about bauxite exports, remediation costs, plans, timelines, and assurances. The government clarifies the site is curtailing, not closing, and outlines relevant environmental regulations.
AnsweredQoN 1972Legislative Council
Asked
20 March 2024
Member
Portfolio
State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the closure of Alcoa’s Kwinana bauxite refinery, and ask: (a) will the Government be allowing the export of unrefined bauxite; (b) does the Government know what the estimated remediation costs are for this site; (c) has the Government been made aware of a remediation plan and timeline; (d) if yes to (c), when can we expect remediation of the site to begin and when is it planned to be completed; and (e) what assurances does the Government have that Alcoa will remediate the site?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 May 2024
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services representing the Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade
Response time
5 days
The premise of the question is incorrect. Alcoa has advised that it is curtailing production at their Kwinana facility. The site is not closing and will remain in care and maintenance.
(a) No.
(b) Government has not requested this information as Alcoa has advised that it is curtailing the site, not closing the site. The site will be maintained in accordance with its obligations under the State Agreement and the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) and the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 (CS Act).
(c) As per answer to (b), this is not required, as the site is not being closed.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) The Alcoa Kwinana Alumina refinery is classified under the CS Act as ‘Contaminated – Remediation Required’. The CS Act and classification set out a range of legally binding responsibilities on parties who are responsible for the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites. Where a party does not discharge its obligations to investigate or remediate a site requiring either investigation and/or remediation the CS Act allows for the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) to issue a statutory notice to require actions to be taken to investigate or remediate. Further, the EP Act provides additional powers, such as closure notices and environmental protection notices which can also be used, if required, to compel owners or responsible parties to take specified actions as part of a closure activity or to mitigate a risk to the environment.
(a) No.
(b) Government has not requested this information as Alcoa has advised that it is curtailing the site, not closing the site. The site will be maintained in accordance with its obligations under the State Agreement and the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) and the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 (CS Act).
(c) As per answer to (b), this is not required, as the site is not being closed.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) The Alcoa Kwinana Alumina refinery is classified under the CS Act as ‘Contaminated – Remediation Required’. The CS Act and classification set out a range of legally binding responsibilities on parties who are responsible for the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites. Where a party does not discharge its obligations to investigate or remediate a site requiring either investigation and/or remediation the CS Act allows for the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) to issue a statutory notice to require actions to be taken to investigate or remediate. Further, the EP Act provides additional powers, such as closure notices and environmental protection notices which can also be used, if required, to compel owners or responsible parties to take specified actions as part of a closure activity or to mitigate a risk to the environment.
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