❓ Question probes the Minister's involvement in a proposed biomass plant, focusing on potential conflicts of interest and regulatory hurdles. The Minister acknowledges a discussion but downplays its significance and denies specific knowledge of key details.
AnsweredQoN 6006Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Did the Minister meet with Manjimup Shire’s Councillor Keith Liddelow in October 2007 to discuss the proposed biomass power plant at Diamond Mill?
(2) If yes to (1), did Keith Liddelow inform the Minister that Peter Keppel, Manager Warren Region, Department of Environment and Conservation had identified to Manjimup Shire’s Director of Statutory Services, Andrew Campbell, that the proposed site was State Forest land and that this raised the issue of finding justification of using the land for an independent power plant, and that one of the proposed justifications was the use of State Forest karri thinnings as fuel?
(3) Did the Minister agree to provide whatever support he could, should there be any difficulties in this regard, in locating the biomass plant at the Diamond Mill?
(4) Is the Minister aware that Keith Liddelow emailed Jeremy Hubble, Chief Executive Officer of the Shire of Manjimup on 21 October 2007 stating, ‘Kim Chance agreed he would provide whatever support he could should there be any hiccups in locating the Biomass plant at the Diamond Mill’?
(5) In what capacity did Keith Liddelow meet with the Minister?
(6) Is the Minister aware that Mr Liddelow became the Community Relations Officer for Western Australia Biomass Pty Ltd, the proponents of the biomass plant, in December 2007?
(7) Would the Minister list any regulations he has been made aware of that may need changing to facilitate the siting of the proposed biomass plant at Diamond Mill?
(2) If yes to (1), did Keith Liddelow inform the Minister that Peter Keppel, Manager Warren Region, Department of Environment and Conservation had identified to Manjimup Shire’s Director of Statutory Services, Andrew Campbell, that the proposed site was State Forest land and that this raised the issue of finding justification of using the land for an independent power plant, and that one of the proposed justifications was the use of State Forest karri thinnings as fuel?
(3) Did the Minister agree to provide whatever support he could, should there be any difficulties in this regard, in locating the biomass plant at the Diamond Mill?
(4) Is the Minister aware that Keith Liddelow emailed Jeremy Hubble, Chief Executive Officer of the Shire of Manjimup on 21 October 2007 stating, ‘Kim Chance agreed he would provide whatever support he could should there be any hiccups in locating the Biomass plant at the Diamond Mill’?
(5) In what capacity did Keith Liddelow meet with the Minister?
(6) Is the Minister aware that Mr Liddelow became the Community Relations Officer for Western Australia Biomass Pty Ltd, the proponents of the biomass plant, in December 2007?
(7) Would the Minister list any regulations he has been made aware of that may need changing to facilitate the siting of the proposed biomass plant at Diamond Mill?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 April 2008
Responded by
Minister for Forestry
Response time
15 days
1) Yes, I believe I discussed some aspects of the proposed biomass plant with Mr Liddelow, informally, following a meeting of an industry advisory committee of which Mr Liddelow was a member.
2) No, I don't believe that our discussion was in such detailed or convoluted terms. The question is also posed in terms of an impossible assumption in that karri thinnings were proposed to be used in the facility. There is no proposal to use karri thinnings at the facility and the question seems to be based on a false premise.
3) As indicated above the support I provided was in general terms only.
4) No, not directly, although I have recently seen what purports to be such an email, however I have no proof of its authenticity. However Mr Liddelow had every reason to say that I support the biomass plant at Diamond Mill, that is what I told him and he is also aware that it is my Ministerial function to encourage the use of forest products.
5) My conversation with Mr Liddelow took place following a meeting of an industry advisory committee of which Mr Liddelow was a member representing the Shire of Manjimup. He may have raised the matter with me either as the Shire's representative or on his own initiative. Which ever was the case I regard Mr Liddelow's views very highly.
6) No, however if this is correct, and the date of his appointment is correct as claimed in the question, his appointment was two months after the conversation that we had in October 2007.
7) I am not presently aware of any new or amended regulations within legislation for which I am responsible that would be required to facilitate the siting of the proposed biomass plant at Diamond Mill.
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2) No, I don't believe that our discussion was in such detailed or convoluted terms. The question is also posed in terms of an impossible assumption in that karri thinnings were proposed to be used in the facility. There is no proposal to use karri thinnings at the facility and the question seems to be based on a false premise.
3) As indicated above the support I provided was in general terms only.
4) No, not directly, although I have recently seen what purports to be such an email, however I have no proof of its authenticity. However Mr Liddelow had every reason to say that I support the biomass plant at Diamond Mill, that is what I told him and he is also aware that it is my Ministerial function to encourage the use of forest products.
5) My conversation with Mr Liddelow took place following a meeting of an industry advisory committee of which Mr Liddelow was a member representing the Shire of Manjimup. He may have raised the matter with me either as the Shire's representative or on his own initiative. Which ever was the case I regard Mr Liddelow's views very highly.
6) No, however if this is correct, and the date of his appointment is correct as claimed in the question, his appointment was two months after the conversation that we had in October 2007.
7) I am not presently aware of any new or amended regulations within legislation for which I am responsible that would be required to facilitate the siting of the proposed biomass plant at Diamond Mill.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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