❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the purpose, powers, and membership of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community and Industry Reference Committee, questioning its potential use to deflect environmental criticism. The Minister's response clarifies the committee's advisory role and community-driven membership.
AnsweredQoN 863Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Kalgoorlie Boulder community and industry reference committee -
(1) Has the Minister for the Environment and Heritage or the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) set about setting up this community and industry reference committee to deflect any public criticism of the DEP or the Minister’s office in relation to environmental concerns in the Eastern Goldfields areas covered by the DEP Kalgoorlie-Boulder office?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Can the Minister state what specific powers, if any, will this community and industry reference committee have?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister explain specifically who will choose and determine the membership of the committee?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Will the DEP or the Minister be bound to act on the decisions of the community and industry reference committee?
(8) If no to (5), why not?
(9) Can the Minister state what is the specific purpose of having this community and industry reference committee?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Will the sitting members of the committee be paid sitting fees to attend community and industry reference committee meetings?
(12) If yes to (11), why?
(13) If no to (11), why not?
(14) Can the Minister give a clear unequivocal assurance that the Minister’s office or the DEP will not use this committee to claim that all issues relating to any environmental issue or concerns have been thoroughly and properly addressed simply because they may have been referred to the committee and therefore refuse or detract from seriously investigating the complaints made by any member of the public?
(1) Has the Minister for the Environment and Heritage or the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) set about setting up this community and industry reference committee to deflect any public criticism of the DEP or the Minister’s office in relation to environmental concerns in the Eastern Goldfields areas covered by the DEP Kalgoorlie-Boulder office?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Can the Minister state what specific powers, if any, will this community and industry reference committee have?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister explain specifically who will choose and determine the membership of the committee?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Will the DEP or the Minister be bound to act on the decisions of the community and industry reference committee?
(8) If no to (5), why not?
(9) Can the Minister state what is the specific purpose of having this community and industry reference committee?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Will the sitting members of the committee be paid sitting fees to attend community and industry reference committee meetings?
(12) If yes to (11), why?
(13) If no to (11), why not?
(14) Can the Minister give a clear unequivocal assurance that the Minister’s office or the DEP will not use this committee to claim that all issues relating to any environmental issue or concerns have been thoroughly and properly addressed simply because they may have been referred to the committee and therefore refuse or detract from seriously investigating the complaints made by any member of the public?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 August 2003
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
68 days
(1) The Department of Environmental Protection has responded to general community concern. It is anticipated that the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community and Industry Reference Group will assist in improving the Department’s interaction and communication with both the community and industry in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. (2) Answered by (1). (3) This group will provide a consultative forum to provide feedback and advice to the Department on various environmental matters in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The group has indicated a preference to be an advisory or reference group. (4) Answered by (3). (5) Yes. The community decided the membership of the group. (6) Answered by (5). (7) The Department will act on advice or recommendations reached by the group, providing they comply with the law and the terms of reference. (8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(2) Answered by (1). (3) This group will provide a consultative forum to provide feedback and advice to the Department on various environmental matters in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The group has indicated a preference to be an advisory or reference group. (4) Answered by (3). (5) Yes. The community decided the membership of the group. (6) Answered by (5). (7) The Department will act on advice or recommendations reached by the group, providing they comply with the law and the terms of reference. (8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(3) This group will provide a consultative forum to provide feedback and advice to the Department on various environmental matters in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The group has indicated a preference to be an advisory or reference group. (4) Answered by (3). (5) Yes. The community decided the membership of the group. (6) Answered by (5). (7) The Department will act on advice or recommendations reached by the group, providing they comply with the law and the terms of reference. (8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(4) Answered by (3). (5) Yes. The community decided the membership of the group. (6) Answered by (5). (7) The Department will act on advice or recommendations reached by the group, providing they comply with the law and the terms of reference. (8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(5) Yes. The community decided the membership of the group. (6) Answered by (5). (7) The Department will act on advice or recommendations reached by the group, providing they comply with the law and the terms of reference. (8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(6) Answered by (5). (7) The Department will act on advice or recommendations reached by the group, providing they comply with the law and the terms of reference. (8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(7) The Department will act on advice or recommendations reached by the group, providing they comply with the law and the terms of reference. (8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(2) Answered by (1). (3) This group will provide a consultative forum to provide feedback and advice to the Department on various environmental matters in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The group has indicated a preference to be an advisory or reference group. (4) Answered by (3). (5) Yes. The community decided the membership of the group. (6) Answered by (5). (7) The Department will act on advice or recommendations reached by the group, providing they comply with the law and the terms of reference. (8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(3) This group will provide a consultative forum to provide feedback and advice to the Department on various environmental matters in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The group has indicated a preference to be an advisory or reference group. (4) Answered by (3). (5) Yes. The community decided the membership of the group. (6) Answered by (5). (7) The Department will act on advice or recommendations reached by the group, providing they comply with the law and the terms of reference. (8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(4) Answered by (3). (5) Yes. The community decided the membership of the group. (6) Answered by (5). (7) The Department will act on advice or recommendations reached by the group, providing they comply with the law and the terms of reference. (8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(5) Yes. The community decided the membership of the group. (6) Answered by (5). (7) The Department will act on advice or recommendations reached by the group, providing they comply with the law and the terms of reference. (8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(6) Answered by (5). (7) The Department will act on advice or recommendations reached by the group, providing they comply with the law and the terms of reference. (8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(7) The Department will act on advice or recommendations reached by the group, providing they comply with the law and the terms of reference. (8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(8) Answered by (7). (9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(9) The purpose of having this group is to provide a consultative forum to allow the Department to liaise with the community and industry on environmental matters associated with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. The specific terms of reference of the group are being developed in consultation with the group. The vision of the group is to assist the Department in achieving sustainable environmental management in the Goldfields. (10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(10) Answered by (9). (11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(11) No. (12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(12) Answered by (11). (13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(13) I am advised that committees dealing with issues of local nature do not require any sitting fees. (14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
(14) The Department will continue to investigate complaints made by the public, and enforcement action will be taken when required.
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