❓ Hon. Moermond questions the government about the potential risk Alcoa's Jarrahdale mine poses to Perth's water supply, particularly the Serpentine reservoir, citing concerns raised by the environmental regulator. The government acknowledges the concerns and outlines measures in place to mitigate risks.
AnsweredQoN 384Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ALCOA — BAUXITE — SERPENTINE DAM
384. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the report published yesterday
in WAtoday based on information obtained from a freedom of information request that it was the expert opinion of the
environmental regulator that the approval of the Alcoa mine in Jarrahdale in December last year posed a high risk to Perth's water supply.
(1) Is the government aware that the regulator was of
the view that the mine posed a risk of large-scale sediment transport to
the Serpentine reservoir during and post-mining, which would render water for
the reservoir unusable for a period of weeks, months or, in extreme
circumstances, years?
(2) Is the
government concerned about the risk of Alcoa's mining operation to
Perth's drinking water, particularly in light of the well-known fact
that the region is drying out due to climate change?
(3) What plans does the government have to manage the
risk posed by the Alcoa mine site to Perth's water supply?
384. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the report published yesterday
in WAtoday based on information obtained from a freedom of information request that it was the expert opinion of the
environmental regulator that the approval of the Alcoa mine in Jarrahdale in December last year posed a high risk to Perth's water supply.
(1) Is the government aware that the regulator was of
the view that the mine posed a risk of large-scale sediment transport to
the Serpentine reservoir during and post-mining, which would render water for
the reservoir unusable for a period of weeks, months or, in extreme
circumstances, years?
(2) Is the
government concerned about the risk of Alcoa's mining operation to
Perth's drinking water, particularly in light of the well-known fact
that the region is drying out due to climate change?
(3) What plans does the government have to manage the
risk posed by the Alcoa mine site to Perth's water supply?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question about an article in WAtoday yesterday. On behalf of
the Minister for Environment, I provide the following answer.
(1)–(3) The
state government is aware of feedback from the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation on a draft of Alcoa's 2023–27 mine
management plan, also known as the MMP. The Alcoa transitional approvals
framework has imposed conditions on Alcoa's operations that include
limits to the physical areas in which Alcoa can explore, clear and mine;
requirements for regular and independent compliance reporting; and requirements
for the rapid stabilisation and rehabilitation of critical risk areas. In
addition to these conditions, Alcoa has committed to a $100 million financial
guarantee to help the government's response in the unlikely event of an
impact to Perth's drinking water dams. The state government has
provided funding of more than $10 million to the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation to support the
implementation of an Alcoa assurance program that aims to ensure that risks to
water resources , including the Serpentine reservoir, are being properly
protected by Alcoa. Those additional assurance resources are already on the
ground, attending both Willowdale and Huntley mines on an intensive basis.
some notice of the question about an article in WAtoday yesterday. On behalf of
the Minister for Environment, I provide the following answer.
(1)–(3) The
state government is aware of feedback from the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation on a draft of Alcoa's 2023–27 mine
management plan, also known as the MMP. The Alcoa transitional approvals
framework has imposed conditions on Alcoa's operations that include
limits to the physical areas in which Alcoa can explore, clear and mine;
requirements for regular and independent compliance reporting; and requirements
for the rapid stabilisation and rehabilitation of critical risk areas. In
addition to these conditions, Alcoa has committed to a $100 million financial
guarantee to help the government's response in the unlikely event of an
impact to Perth's drinking water dams. The state government has
provided funding of more than $10 million to the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation to support the
implementation of an Alcoa assurance program that aims to ensure that risks to
water resources , including the Serpentine reservoir, are being properly
protected by Alcoa. Those additional assurance resources are already on the
ground, attending both Willowdale and Huntley mines on an intensive basis.
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