❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the classification of acidic sites under environmental legislation and the impact of acid sulfate soils on infrastructure, particularly housing. The Minister acknowledges the issue and provides information on affected areas and potential damage.
AnsweredQoN 457Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to a site used for commercial activity which causes the pH (acidity) of that site and/or its surrounds, including groundwater, to become unnaturally acidic, and ask, would this be classified as a ‘polluted’ site under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
?
(2) I refer to a person or body polluting a site by lowering the pH (acidity) of the site and/or surrounds and/or groundwater under the site, and ask, will the site be considered a ‘contaminated’ site within the meaning of the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
?
(3) Is the Minister aware of acid sulfate soils and the location of such soils in Western Australia; and
(a) if so, will the Minister list those locations?
(4) Will the Minister advise if any houses or other urban infrastructure have been identified as having been built on acid sulfate soils which have been exposed to air by drainage, excavation or excessive pumping of groundwater; and
(a) if so, where are those locations and what is the name and location of any such infrastructure?
(5) What structural damage can occur to houses and infrastructure if built directly on such exposed acid sulfate soil as described in (4)?
(6) Is the Minister aware of any problems that have emerged in relation to any such houses or infrastructure as a result of being built on acid sulfate soils as described in (4)?
Environmental Protection Act 1986
?
(2) I refer to a person or body polluting a site by lowering the pH (acidity) of the site and/or surrounds and/or groundwater under the site, and ask, will the site be considered a ‘contaminated’ site within the meaning of the
Contaminated Sites Act 2003
?
(3) Is the Minister aware of acid sulfate soils and the location of such soils in Western Australia; and
(a) if so, will the Minister list those locations?
(4) Will the Minister advise if any houses or other urban infrastructure have been identified as having been built on acid sulfate soils which have been exposed to air by drainage, excavation or excessive pumping of groundwater; and
(a) if so, where are those locations and what is the name and location of any such infrastructure?
(5) What structural damage can occur to houses and infrastructure if built directly on such exposed acid sulfate soil as described in (4)?
(6) Is the Minister aware of any problems that have emerged in relation to any such houses or infrastructure as a result of being built on acid sulfate soils as described in (4)?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 October 2005
Responded by
Minister for the Environment
Response time
19 days
The Minister for the Environment; Science has provided the following response: (1) No. The Environmental Protection Act 1986 does not include the concept of "polluted site". (2) Possibly. For a site to be considered "contaminated" under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 , a substance must be present at above background concentrations and at concentrations which present, or have the potential to present, a risk of harm to human health, the environment or any environmental value. (3) Yes. (a) Maps identifying areas in Western Australia with an acid sulfate soil risk, prepared by the Department of Environment, are publicly available via the Western Australian Planning Commission's website (as supporting information for Planning Bulletin No. 64). Acid sulfate soil (ASS) risk areas in the Perth Metropolitan area can also be viewed using the Perth Groundwater Atlas on the Department of Environment's website. (4) As acid sulfate soils have only recently been identified as an issue in Western Australia, it is possible that some infrastructure was built on oxidised acid sulfate soils before the occurrence of such soils was recognised. (a) Acidity arising from oxidised acid sulfate soils is likely to be contributing to infrastructure damage in Stirling (pipes) and Yunderup (canal walls) areas. However, as the member will see when she studies the map I referred to in my answer in 3(a), the occurrence of so called 'acid sulfate soils' in the SW of the state is extensive and it is possible that other locations will be impacted. (5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(1) No. The Environmental Protection Act 1986 does not include the concept of "polluted site". (2) Possibly. For a site to be considered "contaminated" under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 , a substance must be present at above background concentrations and at concentrations which present, or have the potential to present, a risk of harm to human health, the environment or any environmental value. (3) Yes. (a) Maps identifying areas in Western Australia with an acid sulfate soil risk, prepared by the Department of Environment, are publicly available via the Western Australian Planning Commission's website (as supporting information for Planning Bulletin No. 64). Acid sulfate soil (ASS) risk areas in the Perth Metropolitan area can also be viewed using the Perth Groundwater Atlas on the Department of Environment's website. (4) As acid sulfate soils have only recently been identified as an issue in Western Australia, it is possible that some infrastructure was built on oxidised acid sulfate soils before the occurrence of such soils was recognised. (a) Acidity arising from oxidised acid sulfate soils is likely to be contributing to infrastructure damage in Stirling (pipes) and Yunderup (canal walls) areas. However, as the member will see when she studies the map I referred to in my answer in 3(a), the occurrence of so called 'acid sulfate soils' in the SW of the state is extensive and it is possible that other locations will be impacted. (5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(2) Possibly. For a site to be considered "contaminated" under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 , a substance must be present at above background concentrations and at concentrations which present, or have the potential to present, a risk of harm to human health, the environment or any environmental value. (3) Yes. (a) Maps identifying areas in Western Australia with an acid sulfate soil risk, prepared by the Department of Environment, are publicly available via the Western Australian Planning Commission's website (as supporting information for Planning Bulletin No. 64). Acid sulfate soil (ASS) risk areas in the Perth Metropolitan area can also be viewed using the Perth Groundwater Atlas on the Department of Environment's website. (4) As acid sulfate soils have only recently been identified as an issue in Western Australia, it is possible that some infrastructure was built on oxidised acid sulfate soils before the occurrence of such soils was recognised. (a) Acidity arising from oxidised acid sulfate soils is likely to be contributing to infrastructure damage in Stirling (pipes) and Yunderup (canal walls) areas. However, as the member will see when she studies the map I referred to in my answer in 3(a), the occurrence of so called 'acid sulfate soils' in the SW of the state is extensive and it is possible that other locations will be impacted. (5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(3) Yes. (a) Maps identifying areas in Western Australia with an acid sulfate soil risk, prepared by the Department of Environment, are publicly available via the Western Australian Planning Commission's website (as supporting information for Planning Bulletin No. 64). Acid sulfate soil (ASS) risk areas in the Perth Metropolitan area can also be viewed using the Perth Groundwater Atlas on the Department of Environment's website. (4) As acid sulfate soils have only recently been identified as an issue in Western Australia, it is possible that some infrastructure was built on oxidised acid sulfate soils before the occurrence of such soils was recognised. (a) Acidity arising from oxidised acid sulfate soils is likely to be contributing to infrastructure damage in Stirling (pipes) and Yunderup (canal walls) areas. However, as the member will see when she studies the map I referred to in my answer in 3(a), the occurrence of so called 'acid sulfate soils' in the SW of the state is extensive and it is possible that other locations will be impacted. (5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(a) Maps identifying areas in Western Australia with an acid sulfate soil risk, prepared by the Department of Environment, are publicly available via the Western Australian Planning Commission's website (as supporting information for Planning Bulletin No. 64). Acid sulfate soil (ASS) risk areas in the Perth Metropolitan area can also be viewed using the Perth Groundwater Atlas on the Department of Environment's website. (4) As acid sulfate soils have only recently been identified as an issue in Western Australia, it is possible that some infrastructure was built on oxidised acid sulfate soils before the occurrence of such soils was recognised. (a) Acidity arising from oxidised acid sulfate soils is likely to be contributing to infrastructure damage in Stirling (pipes) and Yunderup (canal walls) areas. However, as the member will see when she studies the map I referred to in my answer in 3(a), the occurrence of so called 'acid sulfate soils' in the SW of the state is extensive and it is possible that other locations will be impacted. (5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(4) As acid sulfate soils have only recently been identified as an issue in Western Australia, it is possible that some infrastructure was built on oxidised acid sulfate soils before the occurrence of such soils was recognised. (a) Acidity arising from oxidised acid sulfate soils is likely to be contributing to infrastructure damage in Stirling (pipes) and Yunderup (canal walls) areas. However, as the member will see when she studies the map I referred to in my answer in 3(a), the occurrence of so called 'acid sulfate soils' in the SW of the state is extensive and it is possible that other locations will be impacted. (5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(a) Acidity arising from oxidised acid sulfate soils is likely to be contributing to infrastructure damage in Stirling (pipes) and Yunderup (canal walls) areas. However, as the member will see when she studies the map I referred to in my answer in 3(a), the occurrence of so called 'acid sulfate soils' in the SW of the state is extensive and it is possible that other locations will be impacted. (5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(6) See (4)(a).
(1) No. The Environmental Protection Act 1986 does not include the concept of "polluted site". (2) Possibly. For a site to be considered "contaminated" under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 , a substance must be present at above background concentrations and at concentrations which present, or have the potential to present, a risk of harm to human health, the environment or any environmental value. (3) Yes. (a) Maps identifying areas in Western Australia with an acid sulfate soil risk, prepared by the Department of Environment, are publicly available via the Western Australian Planning Commission's website (as supporting information for Planning Bulletin No. 64). Acid sulfate soil (ASS) risk areas in the Perth Metropolitan area can also be viewed using the Perth Groundwater Atlas on the Department of Environment's website. (4) As acid sulfate soils have only recently been identified as an issue in Western Australia, it is possible that some infrastructure was built on oxidised acid sulfate soils before the occurrence of such soils was recognised. (a) Acidity arising from oxidised acid sulfate soils is likely to be contributing to infrastructure damage in Stirling (pipes) and Yunderup (canal walls) areas. However, as the member will see when she studies the map I referred to in my answer in 3(a), the occurrence of so called 'acid sulfate soils' in the SW of the state is extensive and it is possible that other locations will be impacted. (5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(2) Possibly. For a site to be considered "contaminated" under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 , a substance must be present at above background concentrations and at concentrations which present, or have the potential to present, a risk of harm to human health, the environment or any environmental value. (3) Yes. (a) Maps identifying areas in Western Australia with an acid sulfate soil risk, prepared by the Department of Environment, are publicly available via the Western Australian Planning Commission's website (as supporting information for Planning Bulletin No. 64). Acid sulfate soil (ASS) risk areas in the Perth Metropolitan area can also be viewed using the Perth Groundwater Atlas on the Department of Environment's website. (4) As acid sulfate soils have only recently been identified as an issue in Western Australia, it is possible that some infrastructure was built on oxidised acid sulfate soils before the occurrence of such soils was recognised. (a) Acidity arising from oxidised acid sulfate soils is likely to be contributing to infrastructure damage in Stirling (pipes) and Yunderup (canal walls) areas. However, as the member will see when she studies the map I referred to in my answer in 3(a), the occurrence of so called 'acid sulfate soils' in the SW of the state is extensive and it is possible that other locations will be impacted. (5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(3) Yes. (a) Maps identifying areas in Western Australia with an acid sulfate soil risk, prepared by the Department of Environment, are publicly available via the Western Australian Planning Commission's website (as supporting information for Planning Bulletin No. 64). Acid sulfate soil (ASS) risk areas in the Perth Metropolitan area can also be viewed using the Perth Groundwater Atlas on the Department of Environment's website. (4) As acid sulfate soils have only recently been identified as an issue in Western Australia, it is possible that some infrastructure was built on oxidised acid sulfate soils before the occurrence of such soils was recognised. (a) Acidity arising from oxidised acid sulfate soils is likely to be contributing to infrastructure damage in Stirling (pipes) and Yunderup (canal walls) areas. However, as the member will see when she studies the map I referred to in my answer in 3(a), the occurrence of so called 'acid sulfate soils' in the SW of the state is extensive and it is possible that other locations will be impacted. (5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(a) Maps identifying areas in Western Australia with an acid sulfate soil risk, prepared by the Department of Environment, are publicly available via the Western Australian Planning Commission's website (as supporting information for Planning Bulletin No. 64). Acid sulfate soil (ASS) risk areas in the Perth Metropolitan area can also be viewed using the Perth Groundwater Atlas on the Department of Environment's website. (4) As acid sulfate soils have only recently been identified as an issue in Western Australia, it is possible that some infrastructure was built on oxidised acid sulfate soils before the occurrence of such soils was recognised. (a) Acidity arising from oxidised acid sulfate soils is likely to be contributing to infrastructure damage in Stirling (pipes) and Yunderup (canal walls) areas. However, as the member will see when she studies the map I referred to in my answer in 3(a), the occurrence of so called 'acid sulfate soils' in the SW of the state is extensive and it is possible that other locations will be impacted. (5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(4) As acid sulfate soils have only recently been identified as an issue in Western Australia, it is possible that some infrastructure was built on oxidised acid sulfate soils before the occurrence of such soils was recognised. (a) Acidity arising from oxidised acid sulfate soils is likely to be contributing to infrastructure damage in Stirling (pipes) and Yunderup (canal walls) areas. However, as the member will see when she studies the map I referred to in my answer in 3(a), the occurrence of so called 'acid sulfate soils' in the SW of the state is extensive and it is possible that other locations will be impacted. (5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(a) Acidity arising from oxidised acid sulfate soils is likely to be contributing to infrastructure damage in Stirling (pipes) and Yunderup (canal walls) areas. However, as the member will see when she studies the map I referred to in my answer in 3(a), the occurrence of so called 'acid sulfate soils' in the SW of the state is extensive and it is possible that other locations will be impacted. (5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(5) Structural damage may include cracking of walls and concrete floors, flaking and corrosion of mortar between bricks and corrosion of metal infrastructure. The Department of Environment's publication " Is My House Built On Acid Sulfate Soils " (draft, June 2004), which is also available on the Department's website, provides further information and I now seek leave to table a copy for the Member's information. (6) See (4)(a).
(6) See (4)(a).
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.