❓ A WA parliamentary question investigates a hydraulic fluid leak at Carnegie Clean Energy in 2015 and DWER's awareness and involvement in the Albany Wave Farm Project. The response indicates DWER was not informed of the leak and had no formal role in the Albany project's environmental assessment.
AnsweredQoN 3295Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Minister's answer to Question on Notice No. 3022 part (d), and ask: (a) was the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) aware of the hydraulic fluid leak at the time of the incident in April 2015: (i) if not, why not; (b) was DWER aware of the volume of the hydraulic fluid leak at the time of the incident in April 2015: (i) if not, why not; (c) is it normal practice for the regulator to simply rely on the information provided by the company to reach a conclusion that it was not likely to have a significant environmental impact; (d) have any other matters related to environmental issues with Carnegie Clean Energy’s (previously Carnegie Wave Energy) activities come the attention of DWER; (e) what involvement has DWER had in the Albany Wave Farm Project; and (f) what if any conditions have been imposed on the Albany Wave Farm Project from an environmental perspective?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 August 2018
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Environment; Disability Services
Response time
7 days
(a) No.
(i) I am advised that Carnegie Clean Energy did not report the hydraulic fluid leak to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
(b)-(b)(i) No. See answer to (a)(i) above.
(c) The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s normal practice is to assess the information provided and determine if further investigation is required. In this case, the information was provided by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
(d) No.
(e)-(f) The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has not been involved in the assessment or regulation of the Albany Wave Farm Project under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 .
The Albany Wave Farm Project does not hold any approvals or licences granted under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, however general offences for causing environmental harm, unreasonable emission and pollution apply.
(i) I am advised that Carnegie Clean Energy did not report the hydraulic fluid leak to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
(b)-(b)(i) No. See answer to (a)(i) above.
(c) The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s normal practice is to assess the information provided and determine if further investigation is required. In this case, the information was provided by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
(d) No.
(e)-(f) The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has not been involved in the assessment or regulation of the Albany Wave Farm Project under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 .
The Albany Wave Farm Project does not hold any approvals or licences granted under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, however general offences for causing environmental harm, unreasonable emission and pollution apply.
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