❓ Questioning the EPA Service Unit's investigation into KCGM's tailings dam expansion, focusing on thoroughness, independence, and information verification. The Minister's response defends the EPA's independence and due process, providing documentation.
AnsweredQoN 1128Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a letter which I understand is dated Thursday, August 6 2003 reference 189969, titled ‘Addendum to Notice of Intent, Fimiston I Tailings Dam to Increase Capacity from 30 metres to 40 metres’ signed by Andrew Mack for K J Taylor, Director, Environmental Impact Assessment sent to a member of the public -
(1) Can the Minister explain how the ‘EPA Service Unit’ investigates this matter or any other matters?
(2) If no to (1) why not?
(3) Can the Minister explain how detailed and thorough does the ‘EPA Service Unit’ investigate this proposal or any other proposal?
(4) If no to (3) why not?
(5) Can the Minister explain to what extent does the ‘EPA Service Unit’ check the accuracy and veracity of any information provided by KCGM or the Department of Industry and Resources for this proposal?
(6) If no to (5) why not?
(7) Does the ‘EPA Service Unit’ conduct its own detailed thorough investigation in relation to determining the level of assessment for this proposal or rely upon information provided by KCGM or the Department of Industry and Resources?
(8) If yes to (7) can the Minister explain specifically how thorough and detailed this investigation is?
(9) If no to (7) why not?
(10) Can the Minister explain why the ‘EPA Service Unit’ or the Department of Environmental Protection had not written to KCGM seeking ‘their urgent assistance and input’ concerning the proposal prior to August 6 2003 and receiving the letter from the member of the public?
(11) If no to (10) why not?
(12) Can the Minister state what specific ‘urgent assistance and input’ was required from KCGM that the ‘EPA service Unit’ did not already have and be capable independently of KCGM to factually determine the level of assessment as a recommendation/decision?
(13) If no to (12) why not?
(14) Will the Minister specifically quote the text of any advice received from the Department of Industry and Resources to the DEP/EPA on this proposal?
(15) If no to (14) why not?
(1) Can the Minister explain how the ‘EPA Service Unit’ investigates this matter or any other matters?
(2) If no to (1) why not?
(3) Can the Minister explain how detailed and thorough does the ‘EPA Service Unit’ investigate this proposal or any other proposal?
(4) If no to (3) why not?
(5) Can the Minister explain to what extent does the ‘EPA Service Unit’ check the accuracy and veracity of any information provided by KCGM or the Department of Industry and Resources for this proposal?
(6) If no to (5) why not?
(7) Does the ‘EPA Service Unit’ conduct its own detailed thorough investigation in relation to determining the level of assessment for this proposal or rely upon information provided by KCGM or the Department of Industry and Resources?
(8) If yes to (7) can the Minister explain specifically how thorough and detailed this investigation is?
(9) If no to (7) why not?
(10) Can the Minister explain why the ‘EPA Service Unit’ or the Department of Environmental Protection had not written to KCGM seeking ‘their urgent assistance and input’ concerning the proposal prior to August 6 2003 and receiving the letter from the member of the public?
(11) If no to (10) why not?
(12) Can the Minister state what specific ‘urgent assistance and input’ was required from KCGM that the ‘EPA service Unit’ did not already have and be capable independently of KCGM to factually determine the level of assessment as a recommendation/decision?
(13) If no to (12) why not?
(14) Will the Minister specifically quote the text of any advice received from the Department of Industry and Resources to the DEP/EPA on this proposal?
(15) If no to (14) why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
9 September 2003
Responded by
Minister for Local Government and Regional Development representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
25 days
(1-15) These questions refer to a proposal referred to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on 31 July 2003. The EPA is an independent statutory body and is currently following due process in accordance with Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 to determine whether the proposal should be assessed or not. The EPA’s decision on this matter will be made public and is appealable. If any person feels aggrieved by the process which the EPA has followed, or believes that certain aspects of have not been considered, they may lodge a formal appeal to the Appeals Convenor. The EPA Service Unit was established under the “Machinery of Government” Review and provides services for the EPA, consistent with Section 17A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. I now seek leave to table the Environmental Impact Assessment Administrative Procedures 2002 (Attachment 1) and the letter dated 6 August 2003 from the EPA Service Unit to KCGM (Attachment 2). See tabled paper.
If any person feels aggrieved by the process which the EPA has followed, or believes that certain aspects of have not been considered, they may lodge a formal appeal to the Appeals Convenor. The EPA Service Unit was established under the “Machinery of Government” Review and provides services for the EPA, consistent with Section 17A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. I now seek leave to table the Environmental Impact Assessment Administrative Procedures 2002 (Attachment 1) and the letter dated 6 August 2003 from the EPA Service Unit to KCGM (Attachment 2). See tabled paper.
The EPA Service Unit was established under the “Machinery of Government” Review and provides services for the EPA, consistent with Section 17A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. I now seek leave to table the Environmental Impact Assessment Administrative Procedures 2002 (Attachment 1) and the letter dated 6 August 2003 from the EPA Service Unit to KCGM (Attachment 2). See tabled paper.
I now seek leave to table the Environmental Impact Assessment Administrative Procedures 2002 (Attachment 1) and the letter dated 6 August 2003 from the EPA Service Unit to KCGM (Attachment 2). See tabled paper.
If any person feels aggrieved by the process which the EPA has followed, or believes that certain aspects of have not been considered, they may lodge a formal appeal to the Appeals Convenor. The EPA Service Unit was established under the “Machinery of Government” Review and provides services for the EPA, consistent with Section 17A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. I now seek leave to table the Environmental Impact Assessment Administrative Procedures 2002 (Attachment 1) and the letter dated 6 August 2003 from the EPA Service Unit to KCGM (Attachment 2). See tabled paper.
The EPA Service Unit was established under the “Machinery of Government” Review and provides services for the EPA, consistent with Section 17A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. I now seek leave to table the Environmental Impact Assessment Administrative Procedures 2002 (Attachment 1) and the letter dated 6 August 2003 from the EPA Service Unit to KCGM (Attachment 2). See tabled paper.
I now seek leave to table the Environmental Impact Assessment Administrative Procedures 2002 (Attachment 1) and the letter dated 6 August 2003 from the EPA Service Unit to KCGM (Attachment 2). See tabled paper.
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