❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses potential groundwater contamination at a former BHP power station in Newman, inquiring about complaints, actions taken, and rehabilitation requirements. The Minister confirms the complaint and outlines the preliminary investigation underway.
AnsweredQoN 978Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the former BHP power station site at Newman. (1) Has the minister received complaints about possible ground water contamination due to diesel and oil remaining in below-ground pipes? (2) If yes to (1), what action has the minister taken since being alerted to the situation? (3) Will the minister be requiring BHP Billiton to rehabilitate the site completely and remove these potential sources of contamination? (4) If no to (3), why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
(1) Has the minister received complaints about possible ground water contamination due to diesel and oil remaining in below-ground pipes? (2) If yes to (1), what action has the minister taken since being alerted to the situation? (3) Will the minister be requiring BHP Billiton to rehabilitate the site completely and remove these potential sources of contamination? (4) If no to (3), why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
(2) If yes to (1), what action has the minister taken since being alerted to the situation? (3) Will the minister be requiring BHP Billiton to rehabilitate the site completely and remove these potential sources of contamination? (4) If no to (3), why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
(3) Will the minister be requiring BHP Billiton to rehabilitate the site completely and remove these potential sources of contamination? (4) If no to (3), why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
(4) If no to (3), why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
(1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
(2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
(3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
(1) Has the minister received complaints about possible ground water contamination due to diesel and oil remaining in below-ground pipes? (2) If yes to (1), what action has the minister taken since being alerted to the situation? (3) Will the minister be requiring BHP Billiton to rehabilitate the site completely and remove these potential sources of contamination? (4) If no to (3), why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
(2) If yes to (1), what action has the minister taken since being alerted to the situation? (3) Will the minister be requiring BHP Billiton to rehabilitate the site completely and remove these potential sources of contamination? (4) If no to (3), why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
(3) Will the minister be requiring BHP Billiton to rehabilitate the site completely and remove these potential sources of contamination? (4) If no to (3), why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
(4) If no to (3), why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
(1) Yes. The Department of Environmental Protection received a fax from a member of the public regarding a possible contaminated site at BHP Billiton Newman on 19 April 2003. The north west region office was informed of the complaint on 23 April 2003. (2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
(2) On 28 April 2003 a regional officer contacted BHP and requested information regarding the status of the old power station site. The north west region office is currently waiting on reports from BHP Billiton regarding remediation of the site. On 30 April 2003 the regional officer contacted the Department of Environmental Protection contaminated sites branch advising that this may be a potential contaminated site. On 1 May 2003 the regional office sent a letter via email to the complainant informing it that a preliminary investigation had commenced. (3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
(3)-(4) Rehabilitation requirements will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation in the context of the contaminated sites legislation and the proposed future use of the site. The investigation is still active.
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.