❓ A parliamentary question addresses community concerns about iron ore dust in Port Hedland, seeking data and action. The Minister acknowledges concerns but states dust levels haven't risen recently, outlining ongoing monitoring and collaboration with BHP Billiton.
AnsweredQoN 1621Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to fugitive dust in Port Hedland - (1) Is the minister or the department aware of significant community concern over the rise in iron ore dust contamination in the town of Port Hedland? (2) Will the minister table the latest dust figures - volume per cubic metre - submitted by BHP Billiton for the monitoring sites numbered one through 10 for the past six months? (3) Do these figures, annually averaged, show a significant rise in dust pollution in the town compared with the past five years? (4) If yes to (3), what does the minister or the department propose to do with regard to this problem? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply- (1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(1) Is the minister or the department aware of significant community concern over the rise in iron ore dust contamination in the town of Port Hedland? (2) Will the minister table the latest dust figures - volume per cubic metre - submitted by BHP Billiton for the monitoring sites numbered one through 10 for the past six months? (3) Do these figures, annually averaged, show a significant rise in dust pollution in the town compared with the past five years? (4) If yes to (3), what does the minister or the department propose to do with regard to this problem? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply- (1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(2) Will the minister table the latest dust figures - volume per cubic metre - submitted by BHP Billiton for the monitoring sites numbered one through 10 for the past six months? (3) Do these figures, annually averaged, show a significant rise in dust pollution in the town compared with the past five years? (4) If yes to (3), what does the minister or the department propose to do with regard to this problem? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply- (1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(3) Do these figures, annually averaged, show a significant rise in dust pollution in the town compared with the past five years? (4) If yes to (3), what does the minister or the department propose to do with regard to this problem? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply- (1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(4) If yes to (3), what does the minister or the department propose to do with regard to this problem? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply- (1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply- (1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply- (1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(1) Is the minister or the department aware of significant community concern over the rise in iron ore dust contamination in the town of Port Hedland? (2) Will the minister table the latest dust figures - volume per cubic metre - submitted by BHP Billiton for the monitoring sites numbered one through 10 for the past six months? (3) Do these figures, annually averaged, show a significant rise in dust pollution in the town compared with the past five years? (4) If yes to (3), what does the minister or the department propose to do with regard to this problem? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply- (1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(2) Will the minister table the latest dust figures - volume per cubic metre - submitted by BHP Billiton for the monitoring sites numbered one through 10 for the past six months? (3) Do these figures, annually averaged, show a significant rise in dust pollution in the town compared with the past five years? (4) If yes to (3), what does the minister or the department propose to do with regard to this problem? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply- (1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(3) Do these figures, annually averaged, show a significant rise in dust pollution in the town compared with the past five years? (4) If yes to (3), what does the minister or the department propose to do with regard to this problem? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply- (1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(4) If yes to (3), what does the minister or the department propose to do with regard to this problem? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply- (1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply- (1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply- (1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(1) Yes. The Department of Environment Protection is aware of an ongoing level of interest in dust in Port Hedland and of the inquiries associated with the expansion of BHP Billiton’s iron ore loading facilities. The Town of Port Hedland has also highlighted concern at the potential level of water used to manage dust and has asked the DEP to work with BHP Billiton and the Water Corporation to achieve dust emission targets without compromising water use efficiency. (2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(2) BHP Billiton’s dust monitoring figures are recorded in the annual environmental reports for BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Boodarie Hot Briquetted Iron. These are publicly-accessible documents. (3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(3) No. Figures for the past five years do not show an overall rise in dust. Dust levels rose about five years ago and have dropped over the past two years. (4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
(4) Even though there is no recent rise in dust, the DEP maintains a close assessment of the dust situation. Over the past year, departmental staff have had several meetings with BHP Billiton staff to scrutinise dust management improvement and water use efficiency initiatives. BHP Billiton dust data is scrutinised by the Town of Port Hedland community-based air quality group and the BHP Billiton community consultative group.
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