A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses ongoing dust and noise pollution at a Karratha site since 1996, questioning the Minister about awareness, actions taken, and enforcement of penalties. The Minister acknowledges the issues and outlines departmental actions, including ongoing investigation.

AnsweredQoN 670Legislative Council
Asked
26 August 2004
Portfolio
Environment

QuestionView source ↗

With regard to ongoing pollution at Lot 1537 Pyramid Road, Karratha, I ask - (1) Is the minister aware of the dust and noise pollution that has occurred in this area since 1996? (2) What actions has the department taken since becoming aware of the dust and noise pollution? (3) If yes to (1), will the minister table the relevant recommendations imposed upon the proponent in relation to the findings on the complaint or complaints? (4) Is the minister aware that these breaches have been reported to the Karratha office of the Department of Environmental Protection since 1996? (5) Is the minister aware that, even though the DEP has issued cautions, written warnings and fines, it has not enforced these against the proponent, nor has the proponent paid these fines? Hon TOM STEPHENS

AnswerView source ↗

The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply - (1) Yes. (2) The department has undertaken the following actions: responded to complaints; issued infringement notices; is working closely with the Shire of Roebourne regarding the premises upgrade and operational requirements; and is currently completing a thorough investigation using the environmental enforcement unit. (3) See attached correspondence. (4) Yes. (5) Yes, infringement notices were issued on 7 April 2000, 1 September 2000 and 20 November 2000, and the fines associated with these notices have not been paid. This and other matters are currently under investigation by the environmental enforcement unit.
(1) Is the minister aware of the dust and noise pollution that has occurred in this area since 1996? (2) What actions has the department taken since becoming aware of the dust and noise pollution? (3) If yes to (1), will the minister table the relevant recommendations imposed upon the proponent in relation to the findings on the complaint or complaints? (4) Is the minister aware that these breaches have been reported to the Karratha office of the Department of Environmental Protection since 1996? (5) Is the minister aware that, even though the DEP has issued cautions, written warnings and fines, it has not enforced these against the proponent, nor has the proponent paid these fines? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply - (1) Yes. (2) The department has undertaken the following actions: responded to complaints; issued infringement notices; is working closely with the Shire of Roebourne regarding the premises upgrade and operational requirements; and is currently completing a thorough investigation using the environmental enforcement unit. (3) See attached correspondence. (4) Yes. (5) Yes, infringement notices were issued on 7 April 2000, 1 September 2000 and 20 November 2000, and the fines associated with these notices have not been paid. This and other matters are currently under investigation by the environmental enforcement unit.
(2) What actions has the department taken since becoming aware of the dust and noise pollution? (3) If yes to (1), will the minister table the relevant recommendations imposed upon the proponent in relation to the findings on the complaint or complaints? (4) Is the minister aware that these breaches have been reported to the Karratha office of the Department of Environmental Protection since 1996? (5) Is the minister aware that, even though the DEP has issued cautions, written warnings and fines, it has not enforced these against the proponent, nor has the proponent paid these fines? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply - (1) Yes. (2) The department has undertaken the following actions: responded to complaints; issued infringement notices; is working closely with the Shire of Roebourne regarding the premises upgrade and operational requirements; and is currently completing a thorough investigation using the environmental enforcement unit. (3) See attached correspondence. (4) Yes. (5) Yes, infringement notices were issued on 7 April 2000, 1 September 2000 and 20 November 2000, and the fines associated with these notices have not been paid. This and other matters are currently under investigation by the environmental enforcement unit.
(3) If yes to (1), will the minister table the relevant recommendations imposed upon the proponent in relation to the findings on the complaint or complaints? (4) Is the minister aware that these breaches have been reported to the Karratha office of the Department of Environmental Protection since 1996? (5) Is the minister aware that, even though the DEP has issued cautions, written warnings and fines, it has not enforced these against the proponent, nor has the proponent paid these fines? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply - (1) Yes. (2) The department has undertaken the following actions: responded to complaints; issued infringement notices; is working closely with the Shire of Roebourne regarding the premises upgrade and operational requirements; and is currently completing a thorough investigation using the environmental enforcement unit. (3) See attached correspondence. (4) Yes. (5) Yes, infringement notices were issued on 7 April 2000, 1 September 2000 and 20 November 2000, and the fines associated with these notices have not been paid. This and other matters are currently under investigation by the environmental enforcement unit.
(4) Is the minister aware that these breaches have been reported to the Karratha office of the Department of Environmental Protection since 1996? (5) Is the minister aware that, even though the DEP has issued cautions, written warnings and fines, it has not enforced these against the proponent, nor has the proponent paid these fines? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply - (1) Yes. (2) The department has undertaken the following actions: responded to complaints; issued infringement notices; is working closely with the Shire of Roebourne regarding the premises upgrade and operational requirements; and is currently completing a thorough investigation using the environmental enforcement unit. (3) See attached correspondence. (4) Yes. (5) Yes, infringement notices were issued on 7 April 2000, 1 September 2000 and 20 November 2000, and the fines associated with these notices have not been paid. This and other matters are currently under investigation by the environmental enforcement unit.
(5) Is the minister aware that, even though the DEP has issued cautions, written warnings and fines, it has not enforced these against the proponent, nor has the proponent paid these fines? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply - (1) Yes. (2) The department has undertaken the following actions: responded to complaints; issued infringement notices; is working closely with the Shire of Roebourne regarding the premises upgrade and operational requirements; and is currently completing a thorough investigation using the environmental enforcement unit. (3) See attached correspondence. (4) Yes. (5) Yes, infringement notices were issued on 7 April 2000, 1 September 2000 and 20 November 2000, and the fines associated with these notices have not been paid. This and other matters are currently under investigation by the environmental enforcement unit.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply - (1) Yes. (2) The department has undertaken the following actions: responded to complaints; issued infringement notices; is working closely with the Shire of Roebourne regarding the premises upgrade and operational requirements; and is currently completing a thorough investigation using the environmental enforcement unit. (3) See attached correspondence. (4) Yes. (5) Yes, infringement notices were issued on 7 April 2000, 1 September 2000 and 20 November 2000, and the fines associated with these notices have not been paid. This and other matters are currently under investigation by the environmental enforcement unit.
The Minister for the Environment has provided the following reply - (1) Yes. (2) The department has undertaken the following actions: responded to complaints; issued infringement notices; is working closely with the Shire of Roebourne regarding the premises upgrade and operational requirements; and is currently completing a thorough investigation using the environmental enforcement unit. (3) See attached correspondence. (4) Yes. (5) Yes, infringement notices were issued on 7 April 2000, 1 September 2000 and 20 November 2000, and the fines associated with these notices have not been paid. This and other matters are currently under investigation by the environmental enforcement unit.
(1) Yes. (2) The department has undertaken the following actions: responded to complaints; issued infringement notices; is working closely with the Shire of Roebourne regarding the premises upgrade and operational requirements; and is currently completing a thorough investigation using the environmental enforcement unit. (3) See attached correspondence. (4) Yes. (5) Yes, infringement notices were issued on 7 April 2000, 1 September 2000 and 20 November 2000, and the fines associated with these notices have not been paid. This and other matters are currently under investigation by the environmental enforcement unit.
(2) The department has undertaken the following actions: responded to complaints; issued infringement notices; is working closely with the Shire of Roebourne regarding the premises upgrade and operational requirements; and is currently completing a thorough investigation using the environmental enforcement unit. (3) See attached correspondence. (4) Yes. (5) Yes, infringement notices were issued on 7 April 2000, 1 September 2000 and 20 November 2000, and the fines associated with these notices have not been paid. This and other matters are currently under investigation by the environmental enforcement unit.
(3) See attached correspondence. (4) Yes. (5) Yes, infringement notices were issued on 7 April 2000, 1 September 2000 and 20 November 2000, and the fines associated with these notices have not been paid. This and other matters are currently under investigation by the environmental enforcement unit.
(4) Yes. (5) Yes, infringement notices were issued on 7 April 2000, 1 September 2000 and 20 November 2000, and the fines associated with these notices have not been paid. This and other matters are currently under investigation by the environmental enforcement unit.
(5) Yes, infringement notices were issued on 7 April 2000, 1 September 2000 and 20 November 2000, and the fines associated with these notices have not been paid. This and other matters are currently under investigation by the environmental enforcement unit.

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