❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for State Development regarding the discharge of hypersaline water from Sons of Gwalia's Yilgarn Star operations into Lake Yellowdine (Banker Lake) and its impact on vegetation. The Minister provides answers clarifying departmental actions and responsibilities.
AnsweredQoN 1373Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to inspections by Mr Campbell Hawks and other officers from the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources in relation to Sons of Gwalia concerning discharges into Lake Yellowdine in the months of January 2002 through to December 2002 in which vegetation around the lake was adversely affected -
(1) Can the Minister explain why Mr Campbell Hawks was so concerned about the discharge of hypersaline water into Lake Yellowdine affecting vegetation around the lake in the month of May 2002 given that it is my understanding that it is generally salt lake terrain and the area is quite a distance from a major/minor town?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Will the Minister table written correspondence sent to owners of the mine responsible covering the months of May through to July 2002?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister explain how the department become aware of this adverse environmental effect?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Can the Minister state the approximate amount in hectares of vegetation that was adversely affected?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(1) Can the Minister explain why Mr Campbell Hawks was so concerned about the discharge of hypersaline water into Lake Yellowdine affecting vegetation around the lake in the month of May 2002 given that it is my understanding that it is generally salt lake terrain and the area is quite a distance from a major/minor town?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Will the Minister table written correspondence sent to owners of the mine responsible covering the months of May through to July 2002?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister explain how the department become aware of this adverse environmental effect?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Can the Minister state the approximate amount in hectares of vegetation that was adversely affected?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 December 2003
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
39 days
(1) Yes. In preparing this response, it appears that the DoIR officer was concerned about the impact of the discharge of hypersaline water from Yilgarn Star underground and open cut operations to Lake Yellowdine (Banker Lake) on the lake side vegetation after it was brought to his attention in May 2002 that the vegetation on the northern side of Banker Lake had been adversely affected and appeared to be in poor condition. Salt lake vegetation can only tolerate a certain level of salt before showing signs of stress. The levels of salt at Banker Lake had become high and extensive salt encrustations had formed along the northern shoreline. Vegetation in the vicinity of the discharge point in the northern part of the lake was in poor condition. The relevance of the proximity of Lake Banker to a major/minor town is unclear. (2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(1) Yes. In preparing this response, it appears that the DoIR officer was concerned about the impact of the discharge of hypersaline water from Yilgarn Star underground and open cut operations to Lake Yellowdine (Banker Lake) on the lake side vegetation after it was brought to his attention in May 2002 that the vegetation on the northern side of Banker Lake had been adversely affected and appeared to be in poor condition. Salt lake vegetation can only tolerate a certain level of salt before showing signs of stress. The levels of salt at Banker Lake had become high and extensive salt encrustations had formed along the northern shoreline. Vegetation in the vicinity of the discharge point in the northern part of the lake was in poor condition. The relevance of the proximity of Lake Banker to a major/minor town is unclear. (2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
Salt lake vegetation can only tolerate a certain level of salt before showing signs of stress. The levels of salt at Banker Lake had become high and extensive salt encrustations had formed along the northern shoreline. Vegetation in the vicinity of the discharge point in the northern part of the lake was in poor condition. The relevance of the proximity of Lake Banker to a major/minor town is unclear. (2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
Salt lake vegetation can only tolerate a certain level of salt before showing signs of stress. The levels of salt at Banker Lake had become high and extensive salt encrustations had formed along the northern shoreline. Vegetation in the vicinity of the discharge point in the northern part of the lake was in poor condition. The relevance of the proximity of Lake Banker to a major/minor town is unclear. (2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
The relevance of the proximity of Lake Banker to a major/minor town is unclear. (2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
The relevance of the proximity of Lake Banker to a major/minor town is unclear. (2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(1) Yes. In preparing this response, it appears that the DoIR officer was concerned about the impact of the discharge of hypersaline water from Yilgarn Star underground and open cut operations to Lake Yellowdine (Banker Lake) on the lake side vegetation after it was brought to his attention in May 2002 that the vegetation on the northern side of Banker Lake had been adversely affected and appeared to be in poor condition. Salt lake vegetation can only tolerate a certain level of salt before showing signs of stress. The levels of salt at Banker Lake had become high and extensive salt encrustations had formed along the northern shoreline. Vegetation in the vicinity of the discharge point in the northern part of the lake was in poor condition. The relevance of the proximity of Lake Banker to a major/minor town is unclear. (2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
Salt lake vegetation can only tolerate a certain level of salt before showing signs of stress. The levels of salt at Banker Lake had become high and extensive salt encrustations had formed along the northern shoreline. Vegetation in the vicinity of the discharge point in the northern part of the lake was in poor condition. The relevance of the proximity of Lake Banker to a major/minor town is unclear. (2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
Salt lake vegetation can only tolerate a certain level of salt before showing signs of stress. The levels of salt at Banker Lake had become high and extensive salt encrustations had formed along the northern shoreline. Vegetation in the vicinity of the discharge point in the northern part of the lake was in poor condition. The relevance of the proximity of Lake Banker to a major/minor town is unclear. (2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
The relevance of the proximity of Lake Banker to a major/minor town is unclear. (2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
The relevance of the proximity of Lake Banker to a major/minor town is unclear. (2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(2) N/A. (3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(3) No. (4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(4) There was no written correspondence from the Department of Industry and Resources to Sons of Gwalia Ltd regarding the discharge of saline water to Lake Banker during the period May to July 2002, since this issue was managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection. (5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(5) An officer of the Department became aware of the vegetation damage several days prior to 22 May 2002. (See the attached Meeting Note). See tabled paper. (6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(6) N/A. (7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(7) No. (8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
(8) The size of the affected area of vegetation that was adversely affected has not been given in any of the reports submitted by Sons of Gwalia Ltd to the Department.
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