❓ A parliamentary question regarding a proposed coal mine near Margaret River raises concerns about water quality, traffic impact, and requests government intervention. The government response outlines the EPA's assessment process and clarifies the Minister's lack of authority to direct the EPA.
AnsweredQoN 4298Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
With reference to correspondence to the Premier from the Legislative Council Member for South West, Hon Barry House regarding the proposed Coal Mine near Margaret River, I ask:
(a) is the Government aware that the location of the underground coal seam, between Leederville and Yarragadee aquifers, raises serious concerns about impacts on water quality and quantity;
(b) is the Premier aware that estimated truck movements of one every nine minutes would significantly impact on road safety and amenity;
(c) will the Premier honour the request of Hon Barry House and give the Margaret River Region some certainty and reassurance and immediately implement a Project Unlikely to be Environmentally Acceptable ruling to the Environmental Protection Authority?
(a) is the Government aware that the location of the underground coal seam, between Leederville and Yarragadee aquifers, raises serious concerns about impacts on water quality and quantity;
(b) is the Premier aware that estimated truck movements of one every nine minutes would significantly impact on road safety and amenity;
(c) will the Premier honour the request of Hon Barry House and give the Margaret River Region some certainty and reassurance and immediately implement a Project Unlikely to be Environmentally Acceptable ruling to the Environmental Protection Authority?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 February 2011
Response time
99 days
(a)-(b)
I am advised that the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has requested specialist advice from a number of Government agencies about important aspects of the Margaret River environment that it will take into account before making its decision on environmental assessment of this proposal. For example, the EPA is seeking specialist advice on groundwater, transport, public health and geological matters.
The EPA will carefully consider this specialist advice before making its decision on assessment. The EPA's decision on the level of assessment will be made public in accordance with its usual practice.
For any proposal that is subject to full environmental impact assessment, there are further extended opportunities for public input before the EPA finalises its report and recommendations. The EPA's report to the Minister for Environment is a public document and is subject to appeal.
(c)
The Minister for Environment does not have the authority to direct the EPA in this manner.
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I am advised that the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has requested specialist advice from a number of Government agencies about important aspects of the Margaret River environment that it will take into account before making its decision on environmental assessment of this proposal. For example, the EPA is seeking specialist advice on groundwater, transport, public health and geological matters.
The EPA will carefully consider this specialist advice before making its decision on assessment. The EPA's decision on the level of assessment will be made public in accordance with its usual practice.
For any proposal that is subject to full environmental impact assessment, there are further extended opportunities for public input before the EPA finalises its report and recommendations. The EPA's report to the Minister for Environment is a public document and is subject to appeal.
(c)
The Minister for Environment does not have the authority to direct the EPA in this manner.
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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