❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the disposal of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) at sea, focusing on departmental consultation, ministerial oversight, and the future of such practices. The answer clarifies the decision-making process, legislative context, and preferred disposal methods.
AnsweredQoN 1077Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regards to disposal of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM), and further to questions asked by me on April 26 2005, I ask -
(1) Did the Department of Industry and Resources seek the advice of the Department of Environment on the options for mainland disposal of any of the NORM for which applications were made for disposal at sea?
(2) If yes to (1), what was the advice received from the DoE?
(3) Does the Minister sign off on approving applications for disposal at sea or are these decisions delegated to the DoIR?
(4) Will the Minister allow the practice of the dumping of radioactive waste at sea to continue?
(5) Will the Minister restrict the dumping of waste at sea to NORM or also allow other types of waste from industry/resource operations that can similarly be diluted in the ocean?
(1) Did the Department of Industry and Resources seek the advice of the Department of Environment on the options for mainland disposal of any of the NORM for which applications were made for disposal at sea?
(2) If yes to (1), what was the advice received from the DoE?
(3) Does the Minister sign off on approving applications for disposal at sea or are these decisions delegated to the DoIR?
(4) Will the Minister allow the practice of the dumping of radioactive waste at sea to continue?
(5) Will the Minister restrict the dumping of waste at sea to NORM or also allow other types of waste from industry/resource operations that can similarly be diluted in the ocean?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 May 2005
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
22 days
1) The DoE was originally consulted for application #1, but not for applications #2 and #3, since onshore disposal was not available under the existing legislative framework. 2) The advice received was that NORM could not be brought from Commonwealth waters into Western Australia under the old Nuclear Waste Storage and Transportation (Prohibition) Act 1999. The Act was subsequently amended in 2004 to exclude NORM from the definition of 'nuclear waste'. 3) DoIR is the Decision Making Authority for offshore petroleum activities, under covenant of the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 and Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982. Approvals for proposals are signed-off by the Director of the Petroleum and Royalties division, as the Minister's delegate. 4) Disposal of NORM will be conducted using the most appropriate method applicable based on a risk assessment taking into account the nature and location of the proposed activity, the existing legislative context and upon consideration of environmental, safety and community risks associated with the different available options. 5) Offshore disposal of NORM at sea is not normally the preferred option. Other types of wastes are strictly regulated under the existing petroleum legislation.
2) The advice received was that NORM could not be brought from Commonwealth waters into Western Australia under the old Nuclear Waste Storage and Transportation (Prohibition) Act 1999. The Act was subsequently amended in 2004 to exclude NORM from the definition of 'nuclear waste'. 3) DoIR is the Decision Making Authority for offshore petroleum activities, under covenant of the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 and Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982. Approvals for proposals are signed-off by the Director of the Petroleum and Royalties division, as the Minister's delegate. 4) Disposal of NORM will be conducted using the most appropriate method applicable based on a risk assessment taking into account the nature and location of the proposed activity, the existing legislative context and upon consideration of environmental, safety and community risks associated with the different available options. 5) Offshore disposal of NORM at sea is not normally the preferred option. Other types of wastes are strictly regulated under the existing petroleum legislation.
3) DoIR is the Decision Making Authority for offshore petroleum activities, under covenant of the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 and Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982. Approvals for proposals are signed-off by the Director of the Petroleum and Royalties division, as the Minister's delegate. 4) Disposal of NORM will be conducted using the most appropriate method applicable based on a risk assessment taking into account the nature and location of the proposed activity, the existing legislative context and upon consideration of environmental, safety and community risks associated with the different available options. 5) Offshore disposal of NORM at sea is not normally the preferred option. Other types of wastes are strictly regulated under the existing petroleum legislation.
4) Disposal of NORM will be conducted using the most appropriate method applicable based on a risk assessment taking into account the nature and location of the proposed activity, the existing legislative context and upon consideration of environmental, safety and community risks associated with the different available options. 5) Offshore disposal of NORM at sea is not normally the preferred option. Other types of wastes are strictly regulated under the existing petroleum legislation.
5) Offshore disposal of NORM at sea is not normally the preferred option. Other types of wastes are strictly regulated under the existing petroleum legislation.
2) The advice received was that NORM could not be brought from Commonwealth waters into Western Australia under the old Nuclear Waste Storage and Transportation (Prohibition) Act 1999. The Act was subsequently amended in 2004 to exclude NORM from the definition of 'nuclear waste'. 3) DoIR is the Decision Making Authority for offshore petroleum activities, under covenant of the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 and Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982. Approvals for proposals are signed-off by the Director of the Petroleum and Royalties division, as the Minister's delegate. 4) Disposal of NORM will be conducted using the most appropriate method applicable based on a risk assessment taking into account the nature and location of the proposed activity, the existing legislative context and upon consideration of environmental, safety and community risks associated with the different available options. 5) Offshore disposal of NORM at sea is not normally the preferred option. Other types of wastes are strictly regulated under the existing petroleum legislation.
3) DoIR is the Decision Making Authority for offshore petroleum activities, under covenant of the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 and Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982. Approvals for proposals are signed-off by the Director of the Petroleum and Royalties division, as the Minister's delegate. 4) Disposal of NORM will be conducted using the most appropriate method applicable based on a risk assessment taking into account the nature and location of the proposed activity, the existing legislative context and upon consideration of environmental, safety and community risks associated with the different available options. 5) Offshore disposal of NORM at sea is not normally the preferred option. Other types of wastes are strictly regulated under the existing petroleum legislation.
4) Disposal of NORM will be conducted using the most appropriate method applicable based on a risk assessment taking into account the nature and location of the proposed activity, the existing legislative context and upon consideration of environmental, safety and community risks associated with the different available options. 5) Offshore disposal of NORM at sea is not normally the preferred option. Other types of wastes are strictly regulated under the existing petroleum legislation.
5) Offshore disposal of NORM at sea is not normally the preferred option. Other types of wastes are strictly regulated under the existing petroleum legislation.
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