❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses concerns about dust emissions from the Kalgoorlie Super Pit, focusing on monitoring practices, risk assessments, and potential prosecution of KCGM for non-compliance with environmental commitments.
AnsweredQoN 2582Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to newspaper articles which appeared in the
Kalgoorlie Miner
dated Friday, April 15 2005 titled ‘Super pit dust raises concerns’ and another dated Tuesday, June 21 2005 titled ‘Investigation not finalised’ concerning a blast which sent a plume of dust over Boulder -
(1) Is it correct that the Department of Environment informed the
Kalgoorlie Miner
newspaper that it was yet to decide if it will prosecute Kalgoorlie’s super pit operators (KCGM, Newmont Mining and Barrick Gold) for not monitoring dust levels on the same day it sent a plume over Boulder?
(2) If no to (1), what specifically did the Department advise the newspaper?
(3) Is it correct that the Department of Environment told a concerned resident that KCGM’s risk assessment was inappropriate?
(4) If no to (3), what specifically did the Department advise the concerned resident?
(5) Is it correct that KCGM did not monitor dust for its 1.00 pm blast on March 25 2005 despite the company making a commitment to the Department to monitor dust every day between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm?
(6) If no to (5), what specific commitments were made by KCGM to the Department?
(7) Can the Minister explain why KCGM’s risk assessment was inappropriate for the blast that was conducted?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Will the Department prosecute KCGM under any section of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
for failing to monitor for the dust from the blast despite making commitments to monitor every day between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Can the Minister explain what is the purpose of getting commitments from any proponent including KCGM to prevent or abate pollution given that the Department is not prepared to apply prosecution action to ensure that a serious penalty is imposed that clearly acts as a deterrent so that commitments given are not repeatedly in one form or another taken for granted by the proponent?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
Kalgoorlie Miner
dated Friday, April 15 2005 titled ‘Super pit dust raises concerns’ and another dated Tuesday, June 21 2005 titled ‘Investigation not finalised’ concerning a blast which sent a plume of dust over Boulder -
(1) Is it correct that the Department of Environment informed the
Kalgoorlie Miner
newspaper that it was yet to decide if it will prosecute Kalgoorlie’s super pit operators (KCGM, Newmont Mining and Barrick Gold) for not monitoring dust levels on the same day it sent a plume over Boulder?
(2) If no to (1), what specifically did the Department advise the newspaper?
(3) Is it correct that the Department of Environment told a concerned resident that KCGM’s risk assessment was inappropriate?
(4) If no to (3), what specifically did the Department advise the concerned resident?
(5) Is it correct that KCGM did not monitor dust for its 1.00 pm blast on March 25 2005 despite the company making a commitment to the Department to monitor dust every day between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm?
(6) If no to (5), what specific commitments were made by KCGM to the Department?
(7) Can the Minister explain why KCGM’s risk assessment was inappropriate for the blast that was conducted?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Will the Department prosecute KCGM under any section of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
for failing to monitor for the dust from the blast despite making commitments to monitor every day between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Can the Minister explain what is the purpose of getting commitments from any proponent including KCGM to prevent or abate pollution given that the Department is not prepared to apply prosecution action to ensure that a serious penalty is imposed that clearly acts as a deterrent so that commitments given are not repeatedly in one form or another taken for granted by the proponent?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 October 2005
Responded by
Minister for Education and Training representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
40 days
The Minister for the Environment; Science has provided the following response: (1) Yes. The Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (2) Not applicable. (3) Yes, an officer of the Department of Environment did make that comment. (4) Not applicable. (5) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (6) The commitments made by KCGM are listed in Ministerial Statement 188. Two commitments relate to dust management. In commitment 1 the proponent committed to preparing and implementing an Environmental Management Programme for all of its operations. In commitment 5, the proponent committed to installing and supporting a Dust Monitoring Programme within the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. (7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(1) Yes. The Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (2) Not applicable. (3) Yes, an officer of the Department of Environment did make that comment. (4) Not applicable. (5) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (6) The commitments made by KCGM are listed in Ministerial Statement 188. Two commitments relate to dust management. In commitment 1 the proponent committed to preparing and implementing an Environmental Management Programme for all of its operations. In commitment 5, the proponent committed to installing and supporting a Dust Monitoring Programme within the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. (7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) Yes, an officer of the Department of Environment did make that comment. (4) Not applicable. (5) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (6) The commitments made by KCGM are listed in Ministerial Statement 188. Two commitments relate to dust management. In commitment 1 the proponent committed to preparing and implementing an Environmental Management Programme for all of its operations. In commitment 5, the proponent committed to installing and supporting a Dust Monitoring Programme within the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. (7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(3) Yes, an officer of the Department of Environment did make that comment. (4) Not applicable. (5) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (6) The commitments made by KCGM are listed in Ministerial Statement 188. Two commitments relate to dust management. In commitment 1 the proponent committed to preparing and implementing an Environmental Management Programme for all of its operations. In commitment 5, the proponent committed to installing and supporting a Dust Monitoring Programme within the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. (7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (6) The commitments made by KCGM are listed in Ministerial Statement 188. Two commitments relate to dust management. In commitment 1 the proponent committed to preparing and implementing an Environmental Management Programme for all of its operations. In commitment 5, the proponent committed to installing and supporting a Dust Monitoring Programme within the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. (7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(5) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (6) The commitments made by KCGM are listed in Ministerial Statement 188. Two commitments relate to dust management. In commitment 1 the proponent committed to preparing and implementing an Environmental Management Programme for all of its operations. In commitment 5, the proponent committed to installing and supporting a Dust Monitoring Programme within the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. (7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(6) The commitments made by KCGM are listed in Ministerial Statement 188. Two commitments relate to dust management. In commitment 1 the proponent committed to preparing and implementing an Environmental Management Programme for all of its operations. In commitment 5, the proponent committed to installing and supporting a Dust Monitoring Programme within the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. (7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(12) Not applicable.
(1) Yes. The Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (2) Not applicable. (3) Yes, an officer of the Department of Environment did make that comment. (4) Not applicable. (5) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (6) The commitments made by KCGM are listed in Ministerial Statement 188. Two commitments relate to dust management. In commitment 1 the proponent committed to preparing and implementing an Environmental Management Programme for all of its operations. In commitment 5, the proponent committed to installing and supporting a Dust Monitoring Programme within the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. (7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) Yes, an officer of the Department of Environment did make that comment. (4) Not applicable. (5) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (6) The commitments made by KCGM are listed in Ministerial Statement 188. Two commitments relate to dust management. In commitment 1 the proponent committed to preparing and implementing an Environmental Management Programme for all of its operations. In commitment 5, the proponent committed to installing and supporting a Dust Monitoring Programme within the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. (7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(3) Yes, an officer of the Department of Environment did make that comment. (4) Not applicable. (5) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (6) The commitments made by KCGM are listed in Ministerial Statement 188. Two commitments relate to dust management. In commitment 1 the proponent committed to preparing and implementing an Environmental Management Programme for all of its operations. In commitment 5, the proponent committed to installing and supporting a Dust Monitoring Programme within the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. (7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (6) The commitments made by KCGM are listed in Ministerial Statement 188. Two commitments relate to dust management. In commitment 1 the proponent committed to preparing and implementing an Environmental Management Programme for all of its operations. In commitment 5, the proponent committed to installing and supporting a Dust Monitoring Programme within the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. (7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(5) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (6) The commitments made by KCGM are listed in Ministerial Statement 188. Two commitments relate to dust management. In commitment 1 the proponent committed to preparing and implementing an Environmental Management Programme for all of its operations. In commitment 5, the proponent committed to installing and supporting a Dust Monitoring Programme within the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. (7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(6) The commitments made by KCGM are listed in Ministerial Statement 188. Two commitments relate to dust management. In commitment 1 the proponent committed to preparing and implementing an Environmental Management Programme for all of its operations. In commitment 5, the proponent committed to installing and supporting a Dust Monitoring Programme within the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. (7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(7) It is not appropriate for me to comment, as the Department of Environment investigation into this event is ongoing. (8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(8) Not applicable. (9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(9) As per (7) the investigation into this matter is continuing. (10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(10) Not applicable. (11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(11)Yes. The Department of Environment is committed to the use of enforcement action to achieve compliance in a defined and measured manner in line with the objectives of the legislation being enforced, and its enforcement policy. Information on the Department's Enforcement and Prosecution Policy is publicly available on the Departments website at www.environment.wa.gov.au . (12) Not applicable.
(12) Not applicable.
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