❓ Hon. Alison Xamon asks a series of questions regarding the tracking, monitoring, and remediation of Class IV waste, particularly contaminated soils, in Western Australia. The Minister for Environment provides detailed responses regarding waste tracking, classification, remediation processes, and regulatory oversight.
AnsweredQoN 2421Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the classification, monitoring and compliance activities surrounding Class IV waste and ask -
(1) Are all Class IV waste materials tracked on the Waste Tracking system?
(2) If no to (1), please list the Class IV waste materials that are not tracked through the Waste Tracking system?
(3) What monitoring and compliance activities are undertaken in relation to Class IV waste that is not tracked through the Waste Tracking system?
(4) How much Class IV waste, in tonnes and in cubic metres was identified in each of the years, -
(a) 2005;
(b) 2006;
(c) 2007;
(d) 2008; and
(e) 2009?
(5) How much of the waste identified in (4), -
(a) was tracked through to disposal (in tonnes and cubic metres); and
(b) consisted of contaminated soils (in tonnes and cubic metres)?
(6) How are contaminated soils classified into Class III and Class VI waste?
(7) What certainty is there that the contaminated soils are appropriately classified?
(8) How much of the Class IV contaminated soil identified in (5)(b), was subject to remediation measures on site?
(9) How much of the Class IV contaminated soil identified in (5)(b), was subject to remediation measures off-site?
(10) Of the contaminated soil identified in (9), what happened with the remediated soil?
(11) Who is responsible for approving remediation measures rather than removal of contaminated soils?
(12) Who is responsible for monitoring sites where remediation of soils has taken place?
(13) What actions may be taken if the remediation attempts at a site fail?
(14) What processes are in place to ensure that Class IV contaminated soil that is removed from site is disposed of at a suitable Class IV facility?
(1) Are all Class IV waste materials tracked on the Waste Tracking system?
(2) If no to (1), please list the Class IV waste materials that are not tracked through the Waste Tracking system?
(3) What monitoring and compliance activities are undertaken in relation to Class IV waste that is not tracked through the Waste Tracking system?
(4) How much Class IV waste, in tonnes and in cubic metres was identified in each of the years, -
(a) 2005;
(b) 2006;
(c) 2007;
(d) 2008; and
(e) 2009?
(5) How much of the waste identified in (4), -
(a) was tracked through to disposal (in tonnes and cubic metres); and
(b) consisted of contaminated soils (in tonnes and cubic metres)?
(6) How are contaminated soils classified into Class III and Class VI waste?
(7) What certainty is there that the contaminated soils are appropriately classified?
(8) How much of the Class IV contaminated soil identified in (5)(b), was subject to remediation measures on site?
(9) How much of the Class IV contaminated soil identified in (5)(b), was subject to remediation measures off-site?
(10) Of the contaminated soil identified in (9), what happened with the remediated soil?
(11) Who is responsible for approving remediation measures rather than removal of contaminated soils?
(12) Who is responsible for monitoring sites where remediation of soils has taken place?
(13) What actions may be taken if the remediation attempts at a site fail?
(14) What processes are in place to ensure that Class IV contaminated soil that is removed from site is disposed of at a suitable Class IV facility?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 June 2010
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
36 days
(1) Yes.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Not applicable.
(4)(a) 2005 - 16017 tonnes, and 3160 cubic metres.
(b) 2006 - 78499 tonnes, and 16 cubic metres.
(c) 2007 - 5015 tonnes, and 68 cubic metres.
(d) 2008 - 9170 tonnes, and 631 cubic metres.
(e) 2009 - 15122 tonnes, and 505 cubic metres.
(5)(a-b) One hundred per cent.
(6) Contaminated soils for disposal at licensed landfills are classified by applying the procedures specified in the Landfill Waste Classification and Waste Definitions 1996 (as amended), published by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).
(7) The occupiers of landfill sites licensed by DEC are only permitted to receive and dispose of wastes suitable for the specific classification of their site. Landfill operators require waste generators to provide documentation, including laboratory analysis, which demonstrates the classification of the material in question. DEC undertakes periodic audits of landfills licensed under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986.
(8-9) DEC does not record this information.
(10) The level of remediation (of the contaminated soil) achieved is generally established through sampling and laboratory analysis in accordance with DEC's Contaminated Sites Management Series guidelines or the guideline "Landfill Waste Classifications and Waste Definitions 1996" (DEC, as amended December 2009). Depending on the results, remediated soil may be suitable for re-use on-site, for use as fill on another site or for disposal to landfill.
(11) The choice of remediation method generally rests with the person responsible for the site. The Environmental Protection Authority's "Guidance Statement for Remediation Hierarchy for ContaminatedLand" (No. 17, July 2000) provides guidance on suitable measures. After remediation, a validation report, documenting the success (or otherwise) of the remediation is submitted to DEC. Following a review of the validation report DEC, in consultation with the Department of Health, classifies the site appropriately under the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
.
(12) Ongoing monitoring may be required where some contaminated material has been left on-site, possibly under buildings or in on-site containment cells. In such cases it is likely that a site management plan will be developed which specifies responsibilities and requirements in regard to ongoing monitoring. DEC's regulation of the site under the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
ensures that any ongoing monitoring required is undertaken in accordance with the site management plan.
(13) If remediation was being achieved through excavating contaminated soils and disposing off-site, then additional excavation would generally be undertaken to remove contaminated material identified through the validation sampling. If remediation is being undertaken through some form of in-situ treatment, and the validation sampling identified that contamination remained, then the treatment may be extended.
If validation sampling or ongoing monitoring suggests that soil contamination remains an issue, then the remediation, management or land use for the site would need to be reassessed. Where remedial works are unsuccessful, DEC would decline to clear any relevant planning conditions relating to the proposed development of the site, halting or delaying the development.
(14) In additional to the Waste Tracking system, when a report on a remediation program is provided to DEC that documents disposal of Class IV impacted soil at a Class IV landfill, the report will contain waste receipts or other documentation (eg invoices) from the landfill. DEC compares the information on the quantity of soil removed from the site with the quantity accepted at the landfill.
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(2) Not applicable.
(3) Not applicable.
(4)(a) 2005 - 16017 tonnes, and 3160 cubic metres.
(b) 2006 - 78499 tonnes, and 16 cubic metres.
(c) 2007 - 5015 tonnes, and 68 cubic metres.
(d) 2008 - 9170 tonnes, and 631 cubic metres.
(e) 2009 - 15122 tonnes, and 505 cubic metres.
(5)(a-b) One hundred per cent.
(6) Contaminated soils for disposal at licensed landfills are classified by applying the procedures specified in the Landfill Waste Classification and Waste Definitions 1996 (as amended), published by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).
(7) The occupiers of landfill sites licensed by DEC are only permitted to receive and dispose of wastes suitable for the specific classification of their site. Landfill operators require waste generators to provide documentation, including laboratory analysis, which demonstrates the classification of the material in question. DEC undertakes periodic audits of landfills licensed under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986.
(8-9) DEC does not record this information.
(10) The level of remediation (of the contaminated soil) achieved is generally established through sampling and laboratory analysis in accordance with DEC's Contaminated Sites Management Series guidelines or the guideline "Landfill Waste Classifications and Waste Definitions 1996" (DEC, as amended December 2009). Depending on the results, remediated soil may be suitable for re-use on-site, for use as fill on another site or for disposal to landfill.
(11) The choice of remediation method generally rests with the person responsible for the site. The Environmental Protection Authority's "Guidance Statement for Remediation Hierarchy for ContaminatedLand" (No. 17, July 2000) provides guidance on suitable measures. After remediation, a validation report, documenting the success (or otherwise) of the remediation is submitted to DEC. Following a review of the validation report DEC, in consultation with the Department of Health, classifies the site appropriately under the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
.
(12) Ongoing monitoring may be required where some contaminated material has been left on-site, possibly under buildings or in on-site containment cells. In such cases it is likely that a site management plan will be developed which specifies responsibilities and requirements in regard to ongoing monitoring. DEC's regulation of the site under the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
ensures that any ongoing monitoring required is undertaken in accordance with the site management plan.
(13) If remediation was being achieved through excavating contaminated soils and disposing off-site, then additional excavation would generally be undertaken to remove contaminated material identified through the validation sampling. If remediation is being undertaken through some form of in-situ treatment, and the validation sampling identified that contamination remained, then the treatment may be extended.
If validation sampling or ongoing monitoring suggests that soil contamination remains an issue, then the remediation, management or land use for the site would need to be reassessed. Where remedial works are unsuccessful, DEC would decline to clear any relevant planning conditions relating to the proposed development of the site, halting or delaying the development.
(14) In additional to the Waste Tracking system, when a report on a remediation program is provided to DEC that documents disposal of Class IV impacted soil at a Class IV landfill, the report will contain waste receipts or other documentation (eg invoices) from the landfill. DEC compares the information on the quantity of soil removed from the site with the quantity accepted at the landfill.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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