❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses groundwater contamination in Stirling and Balcatta, querying the identification of contaminated sites, awareness of existing inventories, adequacy of testing, and the contribution of artificial sources to the contamination.
AnsweredQoN 1218Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GROUND WATER CONTAMINATION, STIRLING AND BALCATTA
With regard to the high levels of ground water contamination with arsenic, lead and other metals in the Stirling and Balcatta areas, and to previous answers to question without notice 1055 asked on 26 February, question without notice 1085 asked on 28 February and question without notice 1183 asked on 20 March, I ask - (1) Has the Department of Environmental Protection identified any contaminated sites around the areas of ground water contamination in the Stirling and Balcatta areas; and, if so, what are they? (2) Is the minister aware of the existence of a map and inventory of proved and inferred ground water contamination sites compiled by K.J. Hirschberg of polluting industries including industrial waste, chemicals, food and animal waste in the Stirling and Balcatta regions? (3) Given that the abovementioned documents refer to contaminated sites in the Stirling and Balcatta regions, why has no testing been carried out on all 700 domestic bores for the full range of metals, hydrocarbons and pesticides? (4) Given that there are contaminated sites, can the minister advise whether these artificial sources are a contributing factor to the ground water contamination that has occurred? Hon TOM STEPHENS
With regard to the high levels of ground water contamination with arsenic, lead and other metals in the Stirling and Balcatta areas, and to previous answers to question without notice 1055 asked on 26 February, question without notice 1085 asked on 28 February and question without notice 1183 asked on 20 March, I ask - (1) Has the Department of Environmental Protection identified any contaminated sites around the areas of ground water contamination in the Stirling and Balcatta areas; and, if so, what are they? (2) Is the minister aware of the existence of a map and inventory of proved and inferred ground water contamination sites compiled by K.J. Hirschberg of polluting industries including industrial waste, chemicals, food and animal waste in the Stirling and Balcatta regions? (3) Given that the abovementioned documents refer to contaminated sites in the Stirling and Balcatta regions, why has no testing been carried out on all 700 domestic bores for the full range of metals, hydrocarbons and pesticides? (4) Given that there are contaminated sites, can the minister advise whether these artificial sources are a contributing factor to the ground water contamination that has occurred? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
(1) Has the Department of Environmental Protection identified any contaminated sites around the areas of ground water contamination in the Stirling and Balcatta areas; and, if so, what are they? (2) Is the minister aware of the existence of a map and inventory of proved and inferred ground water contamination sites compiled by K.J. Hirschberg of polluting industries including industrial waste, chemicals, food and animal waste in the Stirling and Balcatta regions? (3) Given that the abovementioned documents refer to contaminated sites in the Stirling and Balcatta regions, why has no testing been carried out on all 700 domestic bores for the full range of metals, hydrocarbons and pesticides? (4) Given that there are contaminated sites, can the minister advise whether these artificial sources are a contributing factor to the ground water contamination that has occurred? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
(2) Is the minister aware of the existence of a map and inventory of proved and inferred ground water contamination sites compiled by K.J. Hirschberg of polluting industries including industrial waste, chemicals, food and animal waste in the Stirling and Balcatta regions? (3) Given that the abovementioned documents refer to contaminated sites in the Stirling and Balcatta regions, why has no testing been carried out on all 700 domestic bores for the full range of metals, hydrocarbons and pesticides? (4) Given that there are contaminated sites, can the minister advise whether these artificial sources are a contributing factor to the ground water contamination that has occurred? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
(3) Given that the abovementioned documents refer to contaminated sites in the Stirling and Balcatta regions, why has no testing been carried out on all 700 domestic bores for the full range of metals, hydrocarbons and pesticides? (4) Given that there are contaminated sites, can the minister advise whether these artificial sources are a contributing factor to the ground water contamination that has occurred? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
(4) Given that there are contaminated sites, can the minister advise whether these artificial sources are a contributing factor to the ground water contamination that has occurred? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
(1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
(4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
[See paper No 1317.]
(1) Has the Department of Environmental Protection identified any contaminated sites around the areas of ground water contamination in the Stirling and Balcatta areas; and, if so, what are they? (2) Is the minister aware of the existence of a map and inventory of proved and inferred ground water contamination sites compiled by K.J. Hirschberg of polluting industries including industrial waste, chemicals, food and animal waste in the Stirling and Balcatta regions? (3) Given that the abovementioned documents refer to contaminated sites in the Stirling and Balcatta regions, why has no testing been carried out on all 700 domestic bores for the full range of metals, hydrocarbons and pesticides? (4) Given that there are contaminated sites, can the minister advise whether these artificial sources are a contributing factor to the ground water contamination that has occurred? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
(2) Is the minister aware of the existence of a map and inventory of proved and inferred ground water contamination sites compiled by K.J. Hirschberg of polluting industries including industrial waste, chemicals, food and animal waste in the Stirling and Balcatta regions? (3) Given that the abovementioned documents refer to contaminated sites in the Stirling and Balcatta regions, why has no testing been carried out on all 700 domestic bores for the full range of metals, hydrocarbons and pesticides? (4) Given that there are contaminated sites, can the minister advise whether these artificial sources are a contributing factor to the ground water contamination that has occurred? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
(3) Given that the abovementioned documents refer to contaminated sites in the Stirling and Balcatta regions, why has no testing been carried out on all 700 domestic bores for the full range of metals, hydrocarbons and pesticides? (4) Given that there are contaminated sites, can the minister advise whether these artificial sources are a contributing factor to the ground water contamination that has occurred? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
(4) Given that there are contaminated sites, can the minister advise whether these artificial sources are a contributing factor to the ground water contamination that has occurred? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
(1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that a search of the files currently held by the DEP on sites voluntarily reported to the DEP has indicated that there are four sites within the area of impact: the Balcatta Road landfill, the Hertha Road landfill, the Stirling City Council depot and a former Shell Australia Ltd service station on Jones Street. The landfills are historical landfills and are being managed by the Stirling City Council. The council depot is being remediated as part of the redevelopment of the site. The Shell service station is currently being investigated by Shell, and advice has been provided by the DEP on these investigations, including the monitoring of the off-site impact. (2) Yes, the minister is aware of the map and inventory. The map and inventory prepared by K.J. Hirschberg were developed in 1988 and identify potentially contaminating land-use activities in the Perth metropolitan region. This information is also contained within the “Perth Groundwater Atlas 1997”, developed by the Water and Rivers Commission. No verification of these sites has been completed to confirm whether they are actual contaminated sites. Due to the historical nature of the document, it does not provide an accurate picture of the current situation. Currently, contaminated sites are reported to the DEP only on a voluntary basis, primarily as part of land acquisition and divestiture processes or proposed development applications. The DEP is therefore not aware of the location of all contaminated sites in Western Australia. The proposed contaminated sites legislation includes provisions for mandatory reporting of all known or suspected contaminated sites to the DEP. This will enable a register of confirmed contaminated sites to be developed. The DEP will also have the ability to issue investigations and clean-up notices when contamination occurs. (3) The DEP holds files for around 600 contaminated sites. It is the responsibility of the owners of these sites to manage the contamination issues, including sampling of down-gradient bores when impact has migrated across site boundaries. When reports have been provided to the DEP, this advice has been reiterated to the site owners and/or occupiers. The DEP does not have the resources required to investigate all contaminated sites in Western Australia. Eight hundred and two bores within the impacted area were analysed only for pH, as it is an indicator that heavy metals may be present, and it was the contaminant of concern due to the mobilisation of heavy metals in the soil and ground water due to the acidic conditions. Subsequently, 50 bores that had a low pH were sampled for chemical analysis. Monitoring of de-watering discharge by the proponents included monitoring for heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons. The results did not identify contamination above accepted guidelines. (4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
(4) Investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicate that the current acidity issue is unlikely to be contributed to by the known artificial sources. The acidity appears to result from excavation and stockpiling of peat, de-watering to install sewerage infrastructure, pumping from domestic and City of Stirling bores, excavation of artificial lakes and a very dry winter. [See paper No 1317.]
[See paper No 1317.]
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