Dr. Brad Pettitt questions the Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport regarding a diesel spill in Point Samson, focusing on reporting delays, remediation efforts, and the need for permanent onsite management. The Minister acknowledges the reports and outlines the Department of Transport's response and plans to re-establish a harbour contractor position.

AnsweredQoN 326Legislative Council
Asked
17 April 2024
Portfolio
Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport

QuestionView source ↗

DIESEL SPILL — POINT SAMSON
326. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport:
I refer to a diesel
spill in Point Samson that allegedly took place on Sunday, 31 March.
(1) When was the
spill first reported to the maritime environmental emergency duty officer?
(2) What has been
done to remedy the spill and when did this response occur?
(3) Given the
fragile and ecologically significant mangrove ecosystem in Johns Creek, why was
there a delay in acting to report and remedy the spill?
(4) Will the
minister commit to restoring permanent onsite management of Johns Creek boat
harbour at Point Samson to ensure that future incidents are responded to in a timely
and effective manner?

AnswerView source ↗

Honourable member, this has been
referred to me, as I represent the Minister Assisting the Minister for
Transport. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) An initial report was made to the Department of
Transport Pilbara region's on-call number on 31 March 2024 at
1428 hours. A subsequent report was made to the maritime environmental
emergency duty officer on 3 April 2024 at 1226 hours.
(2)–(3) Pilbara-based
Department of Transport officers attended the site on 31 March 2024 and did not
observe any sign of a diesel spill. During a subsequent visit on 4 April 2024,
a minor slick was observed within the harbour. The Department of Transport
officer's assessment was that natural degradation would be the most
appropriate response strategy.
(4) A harbour
contractor position based in Point Sampson is being re-established and is
expected to be in place in the first quarter of the 2024–25 financial
year.

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