❓ Mr. Tallentire questions the adequacy of mining and petroleum site inspections, given the low inspection rate and seeks assurance on improved resourcing for environmental protection. The Minister defends the risk-based approach to inspections and highlights ongoing efforts to improve compliance.
AnsweredQoN 941Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Given that the objective of the Department of Mining and Petroleum (DMP) Reforming Environmental Regulation program is to implement the principles of best practice regulation of the resources sector and the DMP Ministerial Advisory panel’s report
Session 1: Overview of DMP’s environmental regulation functions
at page five indicated that the rate of annual inspections to approvals granted annually was only about 200 inspections to 3,500 approvals, or 6 per cent, I ask:
(a) by what criteria does this qualify as best practice incidence of inspections, and:
(i) what was the rate of non-compliance revealed; and
(ii) what was the rate of fines and prosecutions that have resulted from these inspections; and
(b) does the Minister intend to improve the resourcing of the Environment Division to ensure better levels of protection for the state’s environments impacted by mining and petroleum exploration and development?
Session 1: Overview of DMP’s environmental regulation functions
at page five indicated that the rate of annual inspections to approvals granted annually was only about 200 inspections to 3,500 approvals, or 6 per cent, I ask:
(a) by what criteria does this qualify as best practice incidence of inspections, and:
(i) what was the rate of non-compliance revealed; and
(ii) what was the rate of fines and prosecutions that have resulted from these inspections; and
(b) does the Minister intend to improve the resourcing of the Environment Division to ensure better levels of protection for the state’s environments impacted by mining and petroleum exploration and development?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 September 2013
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
35 days
The document to which you refer -
Session 1: Overview of DMP's environmental functions -
was a background information paper for the Ministerial Advisory Panel prior to it beginning its deliberations, not a report of the Ministerial Advisory Panel.
In relation to your questions:
(a)
Inspections are determined on the recognition that a risk-based approach is best practice, therefore, high risk mineral and petroleum exploration and development sites are targeted, rather than achieving a specific percentage of sites inspected.
(i)
The rate of non-compliance was approximately 16 per cent for 2012-13.
(ii)
One per cent of inspections resulted in fines imposed in 2012-13.
There were no prosecutions undertaken.
(b)
The Reforming Environmental Regulation program currently being implemented focuses on improved compliance.
Any shortage of resourcing that may be identified would be accompanied by options to address it, including efficiency improvements.
Session 1: Overview of DMP's environmental functions -
was a background information paper for the Ministerial Advisory Panel prior to it beginning its deliberations, not a report of the Ministerial Advisory Panel.
In relation to your questions:
(a)
Inspections are determined on the recognition that a risk-based approach is best practice, therefore, high risk mineral and petroleum exploration and development sites are targeted, rather than achieving a specific percentage of sites inspected.
(i)
The rate of non-compliance was approximately 16 per cent for 2012-13.
(ii)
One per cent of inspections resulted in fines imposed in 2012-13.
There were no prosecutions undertaken.
(b)
The Reforming Environmental Regulation program currently being implemented focuses on improved compliance.
Any shortage of resourcing that may be identified would be accompanied by options to address it, including efficiency improvements.
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