❓ Hon Giz Watson questions the Minister for Environment regarding pollution concerns, compliance with license conditions, and community concerns related to the Gingin Meatworks. The Minister acknowledges concerns and outlines DEC's investigations and responses.
AnsweredQoN 1167Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With reference to the Gingin Meatworks, located Lot 195 Cockram Road Gingin, Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) licence No. L6112/1996/9, I ask -
(1) Is the Minister aware of issues of pollution at the Gingin Meatworks site?
(2) Does the Minister agree that the abattoir poses a risk to the Lennards Brook and paddocks bordering the Gingin Meatworks site?
(3) Has the Department or any independent body conducted testing on soil and water samples from Lennards Brook and paddocks bordering the Gingin Meatworks site?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) If yes to (3), please table the complete results of such testing?
(6) Is the Minister aware that a member of the Gingin community has been waiting since 30 April 2009, for a response from the DEC on questions relating to the Gingin Meatworks?
(7) With reference to (6), when will the DEC respond to the member of the Gingin community?
(8) Is the Minister aware of the concerns from the Gingin community regarding the impact of the Gingin Meatworks on adjacent property owners, as evidenced by the Shire of Gingin motion carried on 21 July 2009, requiring Gingin Meatworks to ‘show cause’ as to why the Shire should not initiate a prosecution for its failure to comply with previously agreed operating protocols?
(9) How is the Minister ensuring the licensee’s compliance with licence conditions regarding noise and odour emissions?
(10) Is the DEC investigating whether the alleged breaches by the licensee amount to ‘unreasonable emissions’ as per section 49 of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
?
(11) What action has or will the DEC take to ensure that the licensee is held accountable for any breach of licence?
(1) Is the Minister aware of issues of pollution at the Gingin Meatworks site?
(2) Does the Minister agree that the abattoir poses a risk to the Lennards Brook and paddocks bordering the Gingin Meatworks site?
(3) Has the Department or any independent body conducted testing on soil and water samples from Lennards Brook and paddocks bordering the Gingin Meatworks site?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) If yes to (3), please table the complete results of such testing?
(6) Is the Minister aware that a member of the Gingin community has been waiting since 30 April 2009, for a response from the DEC on questions relating to the Gingin Meatworks?
(7) With reference to (6), when will the DEC respond to the member of the Gingin community?
(8) Is the Minister aware of the concerns from the Gingin community regarding the impact of the Gingin Meatworks on adjacent property owners, as evidenced by the Shire of Gingin motion carried on 21 July 2009, requiring Gingin Meatworks to ‘show cause’ as to why the Shire should not initiate a prosecution for its failure to comply with previously agreed operating protocols?
(9) How is the Minister ensuring the licensee’s compliance with licence conditions regarding noise and odour emissions?
(10) Is the DEC investigating whether the alleged breaches by the licensee amount to ‘unreasonable emissions’ as per section 49 of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
?
(11) What action has or will the DEC take to ensure that the licensee is held accountable for any breach of licence?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2009
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
55 days
(1) I am aware that there is community concern about odour and noise emissions from the Gingin Meatworks. I am also aware of the allegation about a discharge of
wastewater to Lennard Brook.
(2) - (3) The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and the Shire of Gingin have investigated the allegation of a discharge into Lennard Brook and found no evidence to substantiate the claim. Should further evidence to substantiate the allegation be provided, DEC will conduct an investigation, including laboratory testing, where required. DEC has further advised me it is not aware if any independent body has carried out any testing.
(4) See the answer to (2) - (3).
(5) Not applicable.
(6-7) DEC has advised me that it responded to questions from a community member relating to the Gingin Meatworks by telephone on 1 May 2009, followed by a written response on 3 September 2009.
(8) See the answer to (1).
(9) It is the responsibility of DEC under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
to ensure a licensee complies with their licence conditions.
(10-11) Yes, DEC is investigating alleged breaches of the Environmental Protection Act by the licensee. DEC is also conducting an investigation to determine the Gingin Meatworks' compliance with its licence conditions. Once it has completed its investigations, DEC will take the appropriate action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Actand its
Enforcement and Prosecution Policy 2008
.
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wastewater to Lennard Brook.
(2) - (3) The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and the Shire of Gingin have investigated the allegation of a discharge into Lennard Brook and found no evidence to substantiate the claim. Should further evidence to substantiate the allegation be provided, DEC will conduct an investigation, including laboratory testing, where required. DEC has further advised me it is not aware if any independent body has carried out any testing.
(4) See the answer to (2) - (3).
(5) Not applicable.
(6-7) DEC has advised me that it responded to questions from a community member relating to the Gingin Meatworks by telephone on 1 May 2009, followed by a written response on 3 September 2009.
(8) See the answer to (1).
(9) It is the responsibility of DEC under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
to ensure a licensee complies with their licence conditions.
(10-11) Yes, DEC is investigating alleged breaches of the Environmental Protection Act by the licensee. DEC is also conducting an investigation to determine the Gingin Meatworks' compliance with its licence conditions. Once it has completed its investigations, DEC will take the appropriate action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Actand its
Enforcement and Prosecution Policy 2008
.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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