❓ Mr Trenorden raises concerns about potential Avon River contamination from wastewater discharge and requests independent analysis and public release of findings, focusing on human health and environmental impacts. The Minister for Health's response is 'Not Applicable'.
AnsweredQoN 2184Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I initially refer to the reply to Question on Notice 1234, dated 1 August 2006 received from the Minister for Water Resources, and I congratulate the Minister and his staff on the effort they took to provide in-depth answers to a series of questions regarding possible contamination of the Avon River caused by the release of 216,000 cubic metres of wastewater in 2004-2005. This treated effluent consisted of kitchen, bathroom, toilet and laundry waste, plus some quantity from commercial premises. The wastewater discharged by the Water Corporation, as a bi-annual event, is from Northam, Western Australia's largest inland town. Given this fact and the major reduction in annual rainfall dramatically reducing the river's ability to adequately flush itself, I ask -
(1) Given the number of constituent complaints will the Minister for Health undertake an independent analysis of the Avon River for contaminants including, but not limited to untreated human waste -
(a) in and around the town of Beverley;
(b) in and around the town of Northam; and
(c) in areas of the river near the Curtin University of Technology's Muresk Institute?
(2) On completion of the analysis will the Minister release the findings to the public regarding the state of the Avon River in these areas, any possible negative impacts to human health, flora, fauna and ecosystems surrounding the “Avon” and similarly that of the Swan River, which would also be a recipient of any contamination?
(1) Given the number of constituent complaints will the Minister for Health undertake an independent analysis of the Avon River for contaminants including, but not limited to untreated human waste -
(a) in and around the town of Beverley;
(b) in and around the town of Northam; and
(c) in areas of the river near the Curtin University of Technology's Muresk Institute?
(2) On completion of the analysis will the Minister release the findings to the public regarding the state of the Avon River in these areas, any possible negative impacts to human health, flora, fauna and ecosystems surrounding the “Avon” and similarly that of the Swan River, which would also be a recipient of any contamination?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 May 2007
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
8 days
(b) in and around the town of Northam; and (c) in areas of the river near the Curtin University of Technology's Muresk Institute?
(c) in areas of the river near the Curtin University of Technology's Muresk Institute?
(2) Not Applicable.
(c) in areas of the river near the Curtin University of Technology's Muresk Institute?
(2) Not Applicable.
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