❓ A parliamentary question regarding the impact of saline water usage on mulga tree deaths near mine haul roads in the northern goldfields, and the Minister's response outlining existing environmental controls and assessment processes.
AnsweredQoN 2907Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of research carried out by Muriel Bertuch from the Joondalup campus of Edith Cowan University into the deaths of mulga trees adjacent to mine haul roads in the northern goldfields of Western Australia?
(2) Is the Minister aware that the likely cause of these extensive tree deaths is the use of saline water sprayed onto mine haul road surfaces to stabilise the soil and reduce generation of dust?
(3) What action will the Minister take to assess the overall impact of saline water usage on mine haul roads in Western Australia’s mining areas?
(4) If the death of native vegetation is found to be significant, what action will the Minister take to modify road construction and maintenance practices involving highly saline water so as to stop or limit the death of mulga along the edges of mine haul roads?
(2) Is the Minister aware that the likely cause of these extensive tree deaths is the use of saline water sprayed onto mine haul road surfaces to stabilise the soil and reduce generation of dust?
(3) What action will the Minister take to assess the overall impact of saline water usage on mine haul roads in Western Australia’s mining areas?
(4) If the death of native vegetation is found to be significant, what action will the Minister take to modify road construction and maintenance practices involving highly saline water so as to stop or limit the death of mulga along the edges of mine haul roads?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 August 2004
Responded by
Minister for the Environment
Response time
76 days
(1) No, prior to this question on notice, I was not aware of the research. Subsequently, I have been advised that the research is continuing with Ms Muriel Bertuchs thesis that is schedule to be completed by late September 2004.
(2) I have been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that one of the potential impacts of using hyper-saline water (the only water source in much of the goldfields) on haul roads, is tree deaths. However, I am also advised that the lack of dust suppression on haul roads can lead to tree deaths through the accumulation of dust on the vegetation.
The DEP requires, through licence conditions, that many companies take all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent or minimise the generation of dust from their operations. Companies using hyper-saline water are required to minimise the damage to surrounding vegetation.
Environmental controls on use of hyper-saline water for dust suppression on mine sites is also administered by the Department of Industry and Resources.
According to the Edith Cowan University web-site, the study by Ms Bertuch is based on research undertaken at Granny Smith mine site near Laverton. The DEP is aware that tree deaths occurred on some haul roads at this premise back around 2001. Since that time, some of these haul roads have been decommissioned and rehabilitated, with the regeneration of vegetation progressing well. Further to this, other haul roads have been upgraded and new haul roads have been constructed to include drains leading from the haul roads to sumps to contain any excess hyper-saline water. The DEP is also aware that dust suppression is now undertaken with dribble bars, and other low pressure devices, to prevent over-spray.
(3) The impact of the use of hyper-saline water on haul roads is assessed on a case by case basis.
(4) Where companies have been found to breach licence conditions, enforcement action will be taken in accordance with the DEP’s Environmental Enforcement Policy.
(2) I have been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that one of the potential impacts of using hyper-saline water (the only water source in much of the goldfields) on haul roads, is tree deaths. However, I am also advised that the lack of dust suppression on haul roads can lead to tree deaths through the accumulation of dust on the vegetation.
The DEP requires, through licence conditions, that many companies take all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent or minimise the generation of dust from their operations. Companies using hyper-saline water are required to minimise the damage to surrounding vegetation.
Environmental controls on use of hyper-saline water for dust suppression on mine sites is also administered by the Department of Industry and Resources.
According to the Edith Cowan University web-site, the study by Ms Bertuch is based on research undertaken at Granny Smith mine site near Laverton. The DEP is aware that tree deaths occurred on some haul roads at this premise back around 2001. Since that time, some of these haul roads have been decommissioned and rehabilitated, with the regeneration of vegetation progressing well. Further to this, other haul roads have been upgraded and new haul roads have been constructed to include drains leading from the haul roads to sumps to contain any excess hyper-saline water. The DEP is also aware that dust suppression is now undertaken with dribble bars, and other low pressure devices, to prevent over-spray.
(3) The impact of the use of hyper-saline water on haul roads is assessed on a case by case basis.
(4) Where companies have been found to breach licence conditions, enforcement action will be taken in accordance with the DEP’s Environmental Enforcement Policy.
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