❓ A parliamentary question seeks information on pollution and contamination monitoring on Barrow Island, revealing existing contamination requiring remediation. The response outlines monitoring processes, regulatory frameworks, and departmental responsibilities.
AnsweredQoN 2857Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the environmental conditions on or around Barrow Island, and ask: (a) how is pollution monitored and reported; (b) is there, or has there ever been, any pollution on or around the island; (c) if yes to (b), please provide information on the type, how it was caused and mitigated, and the environmental impact; (d) how is contamination monitored and reported; (e) is there, or has there ever been, any contamination on or around the island; (f) if yes to (e), please provide information on the type of contamination, how it was caused and mitigated, and the environmental impact; (g) how is groundwater monitored and reported; (h) is the groundwater monitoring comprehensive; (i) if yes to (h), how is this known; (j) if no to (h), why not; and (k) what are the key concerns for the department and agencies for ensuring the environmental conditions on the island are maintained?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 April 2015
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
42 days
The Department of Mines and Petroleum advises:
(a)
I
ncidents resulting in pollution are monitored by, and reported to, the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) in accordance with the
Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources (Environment) Regulations 2012
, and to the Department of Environment Regulation (DER) in accordance with the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
.
(b)
Yes, there have been localised pollution incidents on Barrow Island.
(c)
The nature and extent of pollution resulting in contamination of soil or groundwater on Barrow Island is made publicly available on the DER website in accordance with the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
.
(d)
Incidents resulting in possible or actual contamination are monitored by, and reported to, DMP in accordance with the
Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources (Environment) Regulations 2012
, and to DER in accordance with the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
and the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
.
(e)
Yes, Barrow Island is classified as 'contaminated - remediation required' under the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
.
(f)
The nature and extent of contamination on Barrow Island that has been reported to DER is made publicly available on the DER website in accordance with the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
.
(g)
Groundwater is monitored and reported in accordance with
Environmental Protection Act 1986
licences and Ministerial Statements, and in accordance with the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
.
(h)
DER is the agency that monitors compliance with
Environmental Protection Act 1986
Part V licences and the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
. The Office of the Environmental Protection Authority monitors compliance with the conditions of Ministerial Statements published under Part IV of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
.
(i)
Not applicable. Please see response to (h).
(j)
Not applicable.
Please see response to (h).
(k)
The key concern for DMP is to ensure that ongoing environmental audits and environmental monitoring programs on Barrow Island are monitored against environmental and approvals conditions, and legislative requirements.
(a)
I
ncidents resulting in pollution are monitored by, and reported to, the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) in accordance with the
Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources (Environment) Regulations 2012
, and to the Department of Environment Regulation (DER) in accordance with the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
.
(b)
Yes, there have been localised pollution incidents on Barrow Island.
(c)
The nature and extent of pollution resulting in contamination of soil or groundwater on Barrow Island is made publicly available on the DER website in accordance with the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
.
(d)
Incidents resulting in possible or actual contamination are monitored by, and reported to, DMP in accordance with the
Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources (Environment) Regulations 2012
, and to DER in accordance with the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
and the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
.
(e)
Yes, Barrow Island is classified as 'contaminated - remediation required' under the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
.
(f)
The nature and extent of contamination on Barrow Island that has been reported to DER is made publicly available on the DER website in accordance with the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
.
(g)
Groundwater is monitored and reported in accordance with
Environmental Protection Act 1986
licences and Ministerial Statements, and in accordance with the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
.
(h)
DER is the agency that monitors compliance with
Environmental Protection Act 1986
Part V licences and the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
. The Office of the Environmental Protection Authority monitors compliance with the conditions of Ministerial Statements published under Part IV of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
.
(i)
Not applicable. Please see response to (h).
(j)
Not applicable.
Please see response to (h).
(k)
The key concern for DMP is to ensure that ongoing environmental audits and environmental monitoring programs on Barrow Island are monitored against environmental and approvals conditions, and legislative requirements.
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