❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for State Development regarding KCGM's handling of resident complaints related to mining activities near their homes, focusing on the rationale behind deeming the impacts 'relatively minor' and the department's response time.
AnsweredQoN 1376Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question on notice number 1167 of August 22 2003 and the answers provided -
(1) Given that the Minister has avoided answering part (3) of the question and not given a clear and concise answer can the Minister now state the rationale and justification for each of the incidents involved in the complaints made by residents why Mr Biggs regards the ‘incidents’ with their impacts as ‘relatively minor’?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Can the Minister explain why it took the department from September 2001 through till August 27 2003 nearly two years, only after I raised it as question on notice before it decided to check to see if in fact KCGM developed procedures in how they deal with these issues concerning working within 100 metres of peoples residences and also lines of responsibility to ensure that these issue do not arise in the future?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister explain how does Mr Biggs in his professional view factually justify all the ‘incidents’ with impacts on the residents as being ‘relatively minor’ when he only visited the site on September 11 2001 given that this date was well after the dates of the incidents involved where the true impacts would have clearly been sighted, felt by the residents on the specific day of each incident involved?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Can the Minister state on what specific date prior to August 27 2003, after KCGM in September 2001 gave assurances that procedures would be developed and consultation would take place with parties likely to be affected by their activities, that in fact these procedures had been developed and were in operation to ensure that the same/similar issues do not arise in the future?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Can the Minister define what the department regards as ‘consultation’ referred to in the answer for part (9) of the question?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Was Mr Bill Biggs present on site to visually see, hear and smell the impacts for each and every incident involved that was the subject of complaints made to the department by residents?
(12) If no to (11), where was Mr Bill Biggs on the specific dates of all the ‘incidents’ in question?
(13) If yes to (11), what did Mr Bill Biggs visually see, hear and smell for all of the incidents with their impacts?
(1) Given that the Minister has avoided answering part (3) of the question and not given a clear and concise answer can the Minister now state the rationale and justification for each of the incidents involved in the complaints made by residents why Mr Biggs regards the ‘incidents’ with their impacts as ‘relatively minor’?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Can the Minister explain why it took the department from September 2001 through till August 27 2003 nearly two years, only after I raised it as question on notice before it decided to check to see if in fact KCGM developed procedures in how they deal with these issues concerning working within 100 metres of peoples residences and also lines of responsibility to ensure that these issue do not arise in the future?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister explain how does Mr Biggs in his professional view factually justify all the ‘incidents’ with impacts on the residents as being ‘relatively minor’ when he only visited the site on September 11 2001 given that this date was well after the dates of the incidents involved where the true impacts would have clearly been sighted, felt by the residents on the specific day of each incident involved?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Can the Minister state on what specific date prior to August 27 2003, after KCGM in September 2001 gave assurances that procedures would be developed and consultation would take place with parties likely to be affected by their activities, that in fact these procedures had been developed and were in operation to ensure that the same/similar issues do not arise in the future?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Can the Minister define what the department regards as ‘consultation’ referred to in the answer for part (9) of the question?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Was Mr Bill Biggs present on site to visually see, hear and smell the impacts for each and every incident involved that was the subject of complaints made to the department by residents?
(12) If no to (11), where was Mr Bill Biggs on the specific dates of all the ‘incidents’ in question?
(13) If yes to (11), what did Mr Bill Biggs visually see, hear and smell for all of the incidents with their impacts?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 December 2003
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
39 days
(1) The Minister for State Development's answer to the previous questions stands and he reiterates, “He was advised that following a site visit on 11 September 2001, Mr Biggs’ personal, professional view was that the impacts were relatively minor". (2) N/A (3) The department was aware of a number of initiatives put in place by KCGM that indicated that they were dealing with this issue. (4) N/A (5) The Minister has been advised that compared with other environmental and social impacts that have taken place elsewhere in the past, these impacts could be judged to be relatively minor. (6) N/A (7) In response to the Department’s recommendations that KCGM develop procedures for consulting with parties potentially affected by their operations, KCGM formed a Community Reference Group in 1999. For the past few years, KCGM has also used a system of letter-box drops (with pamphlets) to inform neighbours of proposed activities and developed and implemented a specific work clearance procedure for the Williamstown area. (8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(2) N/A (3) The department was aware of a number of initiatives put in place by KCGM that indicated that they were dealing with this issue. (4) N/A (5) The Minister has been advised that compared with other environmental and social impacts that have taken place elsewhere in the past, these impacts could be judged to be relatively minor. (6) N/A (7) In response to the Department’s recommendations that KCGM develop procedures for consulting with parties potentially affected by their operations, KCGM formed a Community Reference Group in 1999. For the past few years, KCGM has also used a system of letter-box drops (with pamphlets) to inform neighbours of proposed activities and developed and implemented a specific work clearance procedure for the Williamstown area. (8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(3) The department was aware of a number of initiatives put in place by KCGM that indicated that they were dealing with this issue. (4) N/A (5) The Minister has been advised that compared with other environmental and social impacts that have taken place elsewhere in the past, these impacts could be judged to be relatively minor. (6) N/A (7) In response to the Department’s recommendations that KCGM develop procedures for consulting with parties potentially affected by their operations, KCGM formed a Community Reference Group in 1999. For the past few years, KCGM has also used a system of letter-box drops (with pamphlets) to inform neighbours of proposed activities and developed and implemented a specific work clearance procedure for the Williamstown area. (8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(4) N/A (5) The Minister has been advised that compared with other environmental and social impacts that have taken place elsewhere in the past, these impacts could be judged to be relatively minor. (6) N/A (7) In response to the Department’s recommendations that KCGM develop procedures for consulting with parties potentially affected by their operations, KCGM formed a Community Reference Group in 1999. For the past few years, KCGM has also used a system of letter-box drops (with pamphlets) to inform neighbours of proposed activities and developed and implemented a specific work clearance procedure for the Williamstown area. (8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(5) The Minister has been advised that compared with other environmental and social impacts that have taken place elsewhere in the past, these impacts could be judged to be relatively minor. (6) N/A (7) In response to the Department’s recommendations that KCGM develop procedures for consulting with parties potentially affected by their operations, KCGM formed a Community Reference Group in 1999. For the past few years, KCGM has also used a system of letter-box drops (with pamphlets) to inform neighbours of proposed activities and developed and implemented a specific work clearance procedure for the Williamstown area. (8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(6) N/A (7) In response to the Department’s recommendations that KCGM develop procedures for consulting with parties potentially affected by their operations, KCGM formed a Community Reference Group in 1999. For the past few years, KCGM has also used a system of letter-box drops (with pamphlets) to inform neighbours of proposed activities and developed and implemented a specific work clearance procedure for the Williamstown area. (8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(7) In response to the Department’s recommendations that KCGM develop procedures for consulting with parties potentially affected by their operations, KCGM formed a Community Reference Group in 1999. For the past few years, KCGM has also used a system of letter-box drops (with pamphlets) to inform neighbours of proposed activities and developed and implemented a specific work clearance procedure for the Williamstown area. (8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(13) N/A
(2) N/A (3) The department was aware of a number of initiatives put in place by KCGM that indicated that they were dealing with this issue. (4) N/A (5) The Minister has been advised that compared with other environmental and social impacts that have taken place elsewhere in the past, these impacts could be judged to be relatively minor. (6) N/A (7) In response to the Department’s recommendations that KCGM develop procedures for consulting with parties potentially affected by their operations, KCGM formed a Community Reference Group in 1999. For the past few years, KCGM has also used a system of letter-box drops (with pamphlets) to inform neighbours of proposed activities and developed and implemented a specific work clearance procedure for the Williamstown area. (8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(3) The department was aware of a number of initiatives put in place by KCGM that indicated that they were dealing with this issue. (4) N/A (5) The Minister has been advised that compared with other environmental and social impacts that have taken place elsewhere in the past, these impacts could be judged to be relatively minor. (6) N/A (7) In response to the Department’s recommendations that KCGM develop procedures for consulting with parties potentially affected by their operations, KCGM formed a Community Reference Group in 1999. For the past few years, KCGM has also used a system of letter-box drops (with pamphlets) to inform neighbours of proposed activities and developed and implemented a specific work clearance procedure for the Williamstown area. (8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(4) N/A (5) The Minister has been advised that compared with other environmental and social impacts that have taken place elsewhere in the past, these impacts could be judged to be relatively minor. (6) N/A (7) In response to the Department’s recommendations that KCGM develop procedures for consulting with parties potentially affected by their operations, KCGM formed a Community Reference Group in 1999. For the past few years, KCGM has also used a system of letter-box drops (with pamphlets) to inform neighbours of proposed activities and developed and implemented a specific work clearance procedure for the Williamstown area. (8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(5) The Minister has been advised that compared with other environmental and social impacts that have taken place elsewhere in the past, these impacts could be judged to be relatively minor. (6) N/A (7) In response to the Department’s recommendations that KCGM develop procedures for consulting with parties potentially affected by their operations, KCGM formed a Community Reference Group in 1999. For the past few years, KCGM has also used a system of letter-box drops (with pamphlets) to inform neighbours of proposed activities and developed and implemented a specific work clearance procedure for the Williamstown area. (8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(6) N/A (7) In response to the Department’s recommendations that KCGM develop procedures for consulting with parties potentially affected by their operations, KCGM formed a Community Reference Group in 1999. For the past few years, KCGM has also used a system of letter-box drops (with pamphlets) to inform neighbours of proposed activities and developed and implemented a specific work clearance procedure for the Williamstown area. (8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(7) In response to the Department’s recommendations that KCGM develop procedures for consulting with parties potentially affected by their operations, KCGM formed a Community Reference Group in 1999. For the past few years, KCGM has also used a system of letter-box drops (with pamphlets) to inform neighbours of proposed activities and developed and implemented a specific work clearance procedure for the Williamstown area. (8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(8) N/A (9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(9) The Minister was advised that consultation was understood to mean that KCGM would be contacting those parties likely to be affected by their activities and having regard to the views of these parties before undertaking the activities. (10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(10) N/A (11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(11) The department has not had an officer present to “see, hear and smell” the impact for each and every incident involved. (12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(12) The relevance of a specific officer being present at all times as raised in this question is unclear. (13) N/A
(13) N/A
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