❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the suitability of Binningup as a site for a desalination plant, focusing on environmental impact and community considerations. The Minister's response outlines the timeline for site consideration and EPA approval, and addresses concerns about local communities, beaches, and reefs.
AnsweredQoN 334Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DESALINATION PLANT, BINNINGUP
I refer to the government’s recently announced plans to build a second desalination plant at Binningup in the south west. (1) When was this site identified? (2) Has Environmental Protection Authority approval been sought; and, if not, why not? (3) In making the decision about the suitability of this site, what consideration has been given specifically to - (a) the growing communities and population centres on either side of this site; (b) the nearby pristine beach environment; and (c) the reef located approximately 100 metres offshore? Hon KIM CHANCE
I refer to the government’s recently announced plans to build a second desalination plant at Binningup in the south west. (1) When was this site identified? (2) Has Environmental Protection Authority approval been sought; and, if not, why not? (3) In making the decision about the suitability of this site, what consideration has been given specifically to - (a) the growing communities and population centres on either side of this site; (b) the nearby pristine beach environment; and (c) the reef located approximately 100 metres offshore? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The site has been under consideration as a possible site for desalination since early 2006, along with a number of other sites between Bunbury and Jurien. (2) No. Formal processes are now underway for EPA approval. (3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(1) When was this site identified? (2) Has Environmental Protection Authority approval been sought; and, if not, why not? (3) In making the decision about the suitability of this site, what consideration has been given specifically to - (a) the growing communities and population centres on either side of this site; (b) the nearby pristine beach environment; and (c) the reef located approximately 100 metres offshore? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The site has been under consideration as a possible site for desalination since early 2006, along with a number of other sites between Bunbury and Jurien. (2) No. Formal processes are now underway for EPA approval. (3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(2) Has Environmental Protection Authority approval been sought; and, if not, why not? (3) In making the decision about the suitability of this site, what consideration has been given specifically to - (a) the growing communities and population centres on either side of this site; (b) the nearby pristine beach environment; and (c) the reef located approximately 100 metres offshore? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The site has been under consideration as a possible site for desalination since early 2006, along with a number of other sites between Bunbury and Jurien. (2) No. Formal processes are now underway for EPA approval. (3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(3) In making the decision about the suitability of this site, what consideration has been given specifically to - (a) the growing communities and population centres on either side of this site; (b) the nearby pristine beach environment; and (c) the reef located approximately 100 metres offshore? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The site has been under consideration as a possible site for desalination since early 2006, along with a number of other sites between Bunbury and Jurien. (2) No. Formal processes are now underway for EPA approval. (3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(b) the nearby pristine beach environment; and (c) the reef located approximately 100 metres offshore?
(c) the reef located approximately 100 metres offshore?
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The site has been under consideration as a possible site for desalination since early 2006, along with a number of other sites between Bunbury and Jurien. (2) No. Formal processes are now underway for EPA approval. (3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(1) The site has been under consideration as a possible site for desalination since early 2006, along with a number of other sites between Bunbury and Jurien. (2) No. Formal processes are now underway for EPA approval. (3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(2) No. Formal processes are now underway for EPA approval. (3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(1) When was this site identified? (2) Has Environmental Protection Authority approval been sought; and, if not, why not? (3) In making the decision about the suitability of this site, what consideration has been given specifically to - (a) the growing communities and population centres on either side of this site; (b) the nearby pristine beach environment; and (c) the reef located approximately 100 metres offshore? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The site has been under consideration as a possible site for desalination since early 2006, along with a number of other sites between Bunbury and Jurien. (2) No. Formal processes are now underway for EPA approval. (3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(2) Has Environmental Protection Authority approval been sought; and, if not, why not? (3) In making the decision about the suitability of this site, what consideration has been given specifically to - (a) the growing communities and population centres on either side of this site; (b) the nearby pristine beach environment; and (c) the reef located approximately 100 metres offshore? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The site has been under consideration as a possible site for desalination since early 2006, along with a number of other sites between Bunbury and Jurien. (2) No. Formal processes are now underway for EPA approval. (3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(3) In making the decision about the suitability of this site, what consideration has been given specifically to - (a) the growing communities and population centres on either side of this site; (b) the nearby pristine beach environment; and (c) the reef located approximately 100 metres offshore? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The site has been under consideration as a possible site for desalination since early 2006, along with a number of other sites between Bunbury and Jurien. (2) No. Formal processes are now underway for EPA approval. (3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(b) the nearby pristine beach environment; and (c) the reef located approximately 100 metres offshore?
(c) the reef located approximately 100 metres offshore?
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The site has been under consideration as a possible site for desalination since early 2006, along with a number of other sites between Bunbury and Jurien. (2) No. Formal processes are now underway for EPA approval. (3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(1) The site has been under consideration as a possible site for desalination since early 2006, along with a number of other sites between Bunbury and Jurien. (2) No. Formal processes are now underway for EPA approval. (3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(2) No. Formal processes are now underway for EPA approval. (3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(3) (a) Currently, this site is used for a waste water treatment plant and its use as a desalination plant site is compatible within this context. (b) The pristine beach environment will be retained through comprehensive construction and environmental management plans. The beach will be returned as near as possible to its original condition. Pipelines across the beach, for example, will be buried. (c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
(c) Location and construction techniques for the pipelines will be managed to minimise disturbance to the reef.
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