❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Environment regarding the potential impact of the Browse LNG precinct development at James Price Point on threatened sea turtle populations, referencing incidents at the Gorgon project and the adequacy of environmental surveys. The Minister acknowledges turtle incidents and refers to the EPA's ongoing assessment.
AnsweredQoN 3691Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Department of State Development Browse LNG precinct, and ask -
(1) Is the Minister aware that sea turtles, listed as threatened species both nationally and internationally, occur in abundant numbers in coastal waters off James Price Point?
(2) Is the Minister aware that flatback turtles have perished by being sucked up by a dredger at the Gorgon project on Barrow Island?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) If yes to (2), how does the Minister plan to protect flatback turtles from suffering a similar fate in the environs of any development at James Price Point?
(5) Can the Minister explain how conducting turtle surveys for just two seasons provides enough data to decide on the environmental suitability of a major oil and gas development, given that turtles nest at the site?
(6) Can the Minister confirm thatless than thirty days of beach surveys of turtles in the James Price Point vicinity were conducted?
(7) If no to (6), how many days of beach surveys were conducted?
(8) If yes to (6), is this sufficient according to the DEC?
(9) Can the Minister for Environment confirm that the Broome Port Authority and not the DEC, will be responsible for the collation of adequate environmental baseline data for marine mammals, turtles, water quality and benthic habitat health within the proposed James Price Point site?
(10) If yes to (9), why is the DEC not the responsible authority?
(1) Is the Minister aware that sea turtles, listed as threatened species both nationally and internationally, occur in abundant numbers in coastal waters off James Price Point?
(2) Is the Minister aware that flatback turtles have perished by being sucked up by a dredger at the Gorgon project on Barrow Island?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) If yes to (2), how does the Minister plan to protect flatback turtles from suffering a similar fate in the environs of any development at James Price Point?
(5) Can the Minister explain how conducting turtle surveys for just two seasons provides enough data to decide on the environmental suitability of a major oil and gas development, given that turtles nest at the site?
(6) Can the Minister confirm thatless than thirty days of beach surveys of turtles in the James Price Point vicinity were conducted?
(7) If no to (6), how many days of beach surveys were conducted?
(8) If yes to (6), is this sufficient according to the DEC?
(9) Can the Minister for Environment confirm that the Broome Port Authority and not the DEC, will be responsible for the collation of adequate environmental baseline data for marine mammals, turtles, water quality and benthic habitat health within the proposed James Price Point site?
(10) If yes to (9), why is the DEC not the responsible authority?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 April 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
28 days
The Minister for Environment has provided the following response:
(1) Yes
(2-3) There have been two incidents involving turtles during the Gorgon dredging program.
In June 2010 a hawksbill turtle was sucked into a dredge and died. In January 2011, a partially decomposed flatback turtle flipper was found in the overflow screen on the dredge hopper, but the death of this animal was determined to be unlikely to be associated with dredging.
(4-5) Potential risks to marine turtles will be considered as part of the Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) strategic environmental assessment of the Browse LNG precinct under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986.
When the EPA completes its assessment, it will provide the Minister for Environment with a report and recommendations, and the Minister will set conditions that will apply to the project if it is approved. It is inappropriate for the Minister to comment further on these matters while the EPA's assessment is in progress, other than to say that the Government is committed to ensuring the conservation of marine turtles in Western Australia.
(6-7) The proponent's Strategic Assessment Report indicates that 12 to 17 days of survey work was undertaken at each of six turtle nesting beaches in the vicinity of James Price Point.
(8-10) Refer to answer to (4-5).
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(1) Yes
(2-3) There have been two incidents involving turtles during the Gorgon dredging program.
In June 2010 a hawksbill turtle was sucked into a dredge and died. In January 2011, a partially decomposed flatback turtle flipper was found in the overflow screen on the dredge hopper, but the death of this animal was determined to be unlikely to be associated with dredging.
(4-5) Potential risks to marine turtles will be considered as part of the Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) strategic environmental assessment of the Browse LNG precinct under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986.
When the EPA completes its assessment, it will provide the Minister for Environment with a report and recommendations, and the Minister will set conditions that will apply to the project if it is approved. It is inappropriate for the Minister to comment further on these matters while the EPA's assessment is in progress, other than to say that the Government is committed to ensuring the conservation of marine turtles in Western Australia.
(6-7) The proponent's Strategic Assessment Report indicates that 12 to 17 days of survey work was undertaken at each of six turtle nesting beaches in the vicinity of James Price Point.
(8-10) Refer to answer to (4-5).
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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