❓ Hon Paul Llewellyn questions the Department of Environment regarding a licence issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, specifically concerning the management of wastewater emissions containing pollutants from Prospecting Licence 26/3126 and the interpretation of 'minimise'.
AnsweredQoN 3221Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question on notice number 2608 September 22 2005, and the answers provided -
(1) Is it correct that a licence is issued under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
because an emission is occurring, or likely to occur, and the purpose of the licence is to put measures in place to prevent this emission from causing pollution?
(2) If no to (1), what specifically is correct?
(3) Can the Minister explain and define what the word minimises means for the answer for part (10)?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Does the Department of Environment (DoE) understand the difference between minimising the likelihood of pollution occurring and maximising the likelihood of pollution occurring with emissions in setting licence conditions?
(6) If yes to (5), what are those differences?
(7) If no to (5), why not?
(8) Can the Minister explain how does condition W2 minimise the likelihood of pollution occurring, given that this condition clearly allows wastewater emissions containing cyanide, saline, alkaline constituents along with heavy metals and other toxic chemicals to leave the premises and therefore create the maximum amount of possible emissions increasing the likelihood of pollution occurring on Prospecting Licence 26/3126?
(9) If no to (8), why not?
(1) Is it correct that a licence is issued under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
because an emission is occurring, or likely to occur, and the purpose of the licence is to put measures in place to prevent this emission from causing pollution?
(2) If no to (1), what specifically is correct?
(3) Can the Minister explain and define what the word minimises means for the answer for part (10)?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Does the Department of Environment (DoE) understand the difference between minimising the likelihood of pollution occurring and maximising the likelihood of pollution occurring with emissions in setting licence conditions?
(6) If yes to (5), what are those differences?
(7) If no to (5), why not?
(8) Can the Minister explain how does condition W2 minimise the likelihood of pollution occurring, given that this condition clearly allows wastewater emissions containing cyanide, saline, alkaline constituents along with heavy metals and other toxic chemicals to leave the premises and therefore create the maximum amount of possible emissions increasing the likelihood of pollution occurring on Prospecting Licence 26/3126?
(9) If no to (8), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 March 2006
Responded by
Minister for Education and Training representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
103 days
(1) Licences are issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, pursuant to sections 56 to 62 of the Act and the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. The purpose of a licence is not specifically set out, however the object of the Act is to protect the environment of the State having regard to, amongst other principles, the principle of waste minimisation: that is, all reasonable and practicable measures should be taken to minimise the generation of waste and its discharge into the environment. (2) Not applicable. (3) 'Minimise' means reduce to the smallest practicable amount. (4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Minimise means to reduce to the smallest practicable amount and maximise has the opposite meaning. (7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
The purpose of a licence is not specifically set out, however the object of the Act is to protect the environment of the State having regard to, amongst other principles, the principle of waste minimisation: that is, all reasonable and practicable measures should be taken to minimise the generation of waste and its discharge into the environment. (2) Not applicable. (3) 'Minimise' means reduce to the smallest practicable amount. (4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Minimise means to reduce to the smallest practicable amount and maximise has the opposite meaning. (7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) 'Minimise' means reduce to the smallest practicable amount. (4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Minimise means to reduce to the smallest practicable amount and maximise has the opposite meaning. (7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(3) 'Minimise' means reduce to the smallest practicable amount. (4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Minimise means to reduce to the smallest practicable amount and maximise has the opposite meaning. (7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Minimise means to reduce to the smallest practicable amount and maximise has the opposite meaning. (7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(5) Yes. (6) Minimise means to reduce to the smallest practicable amount and maximise has the opposite meaning. (7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(6) Minimise means to reduce to the smallest practicable amount and maximise has the opposite meaning. (7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(9) Not applicable.
The purpose of a licence is not specifically set out, however the object of the Act is to protect the environment of the State having regard to, amongst other principles, the principle of waste minimisation: that is, all reasonable and practicable measures should be taken to minimise the generation of waste and its discharge into the environment. (2) Not applicable. (3) 'Minimise' means reduce to the smallest practicable amount. (4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Minimise means to reduce to the smallest practicable amount and maximise has the opposite meaning. (7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) 'Minimise' means reduce to the smallest practicable amount. (4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Minimise means to reduce to the smallest practicable amount and maximise has the opposite meaning. (7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(3) 'Minimise' means reduce to the smallest practicable amount. (4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Minimise means to reduce to the smallest practicable amount and maximise has the opposite meaning. (7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Minimise means to reduce to the smallest practicable amount and maximise has the opposite meaning. (7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(5) Yes. (6) Minimise means to reduce to the smallest practicable amount and maximise has the opposite meaning. (7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(6) Minimise means to reduce to the smallest practicable amount and maximise has the opposite meaning. (7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(7) Not applicable. (8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(8) As indicated in the answer to Question on Notice 2608 question (10), KCGM is required to take appropriate actions to manage matter that contains cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents in an environmentally acceptable manner. By requiring KCGM to actively manage this matter and the resultant emissions in a manner which prevents pollution, the imposition of this condition is minimising, or reducing, the likelihood of pollution occurring. (9) Not applicable.
(9) Not applicable.
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