❓ A parliamentary question regarding the EPA's approval of works at the Lake Wells Potash Project, focusing on potential impacts on Indigenous heritage and the legitimacy of knowledge holder identification. The Minister's response provides information on the EPA's assessment process and declines to comment on a statement made by the CEO of Australian Potash.
AnsweredQoN 692Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
LAKE WELLS POTASH PROJECT
— ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
692. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Minister for Environment:
I
refer to the ABC Goldfields online article titled ''Native title
claimants sound alarm over potential destruction of more Aboriginal
sites in WA'' and to the Environmental Protection Authority approval of
works at the site referenced in that article.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that the EPA assessments were conducted on the basis of
reasonable doubt?
(2) Is the minister and the EPA
aware that the heritage values of the site are contested?
(3) Can the
minister explain why the EPA approval was granted despite this contestation and
associated doubt of the project's effects on Indigenous heritage?
(4) Given that Mr
Shackleton, CEO of Australian Potash, said that ''there have not been
any sites identified by legitimate knowledge holders'', can the minister
please explain Mr Shackleton's credentials related to discerning the
legitimacy of Indigenous knowledge holders?
— ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
692. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Minister for Environment:
I
refer to the ABC Goldfields online article titled ''Native title
claimants sound alarm over potential destruction of more Aboriginal
sites in WA'' and to the Environmental Protection Authority approval of
works at the site referenced in that article.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that the EPA assessments were conducted on the basis of
reasonable doubt?
(2) Is the minister and the EPA
aware that the heritage values of the site are contested?
(3) Can the
minister explain why the EPA approval was granted despite this contestation and
associated doubt of the project's effects on Indigenous heritage?
(4) Given that Mr
Shackleton, CEO of Australian Potash, said that ''there have not been
any sites identified by legitimate knowledge holders'', can the minister
please explain Mr Shackleton's credentials related to discerning the
legitimacy of Indigenous knowledge holders?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) The Environmental Protection Authority undertakes
environmental impact assessments in accordance with the requirements of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986. I am advised that the EPA is currently
assessing the Lake Wells potash
project by Australian Potash Ltd. The EPA's assessment includes
consideration of potential impacts on Lake Wells and its social surrounds. I am
also advised that in May 2020, the EPA consented to the proponent's
application to undertake minor and preliminary works under the Environmental
Protection Act. These works, which involve the clearing of up to 32 hectares
for the construction and operation of access tracks, borrow areas and an
accommodation camp, still require relevant approvals from other decision-making
authorities.
(4) I am not in a
position to comment on Mr Shackleton's credentials.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) The Environmental Protection Authority undertakes
environmental impact assessments in accordance with the requirements of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986. I am advised that the EPA is currently
assessing the Lake Wells potash
project by Australian Potash Ltd. The EPA's assessment includes
consideration of potential impacts on Lake Wells and its social surrounds. I am
also advised that in May 2020, the EPA consented to the proponent's
application to undertake minor and preliminary works under the Environmental
Protection Act. These works, which involve the clearing of up to 32 hectares
for the construction and operation of access tracks, borrow areas and an
accommodation camp, still require relevant approvals from other decision-making
authorities.
(4) I am not in a
position to comment on Mr Shackleton's credentials.
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