❓ The WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about lead contamination from the Esperance Port, seeking government action on clean-up scope, funding, and restrictions on lead exports through Fremantle. The government response outlines risk assessments and sampling programs to determine further action.
AnsweredQoN 6223Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Will the Government extend the Section 65 notice for clean-up by the Esperance Port Authority beyond the Port boundaries by two kilometres?
(2) If not to (1), why not?
(3) Will the Government undertake systematic sampling of homes within a two kilometre radius of the port to define the extent of the contamination?
(4) Will the Government guarantee sufficient funds will be available for a comprehensive clean-up within a two kilometre radius of the Port?
(5) Will the Government prohibit the export of lead through Fremantle by Magellan Metals until such time as Magellan makes a substantial contribution to the estimated $10 million required for clean-up?
(2) If not to (1), why not?
(3) Will the Government undertake systematic sampling of homes within a two kilometre radius of the port to define the extent of the contamination?
(4) Will the Government guarantee sufficient funds will be available for a comprehensive clean-up within a two kilometre radius of the Port?
(5) Will the Government prohibit the export of lead through Fremantle by Magellan Metals until such time as Magellan makes a substantial contribution to the estimated $10 million required for clean-up?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 June 2008
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
68 days
1) The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has commissioned an independent health and ecological risk assessment for the town of Esperance.
The health and ecological risk assessment will determine whether further clean-up in Esperance is needed. It is anticipated that a draft report of the phase one gap analysis will be completed by June 2008. This gap report will be distributed to stakeholders for input prior to finalisation, which is anticipated by the end of June 2008.
2) The health and ecological risk assessment referred to in the answer to question (1) will determine whether a systematic sampling program or further clean-up is needed in Esperance.
In the interim, DEC has commissioned a targeted sampling program to assess whether contamination levels in and around the Esperance town site are decreasing over time. Sampling will include selected residential and commercial buildings and the results will be incorporated into the health and ecological risk assessment.
DEC has also undertaken a comprehensive vegetation sampling program to determine current lead levels on vegetation in the Esperance town site. This information will be incorporated into the health and ecological risk assessment.
3) The State Government is ensuring that a comprehensive clean-up is taking place in Esperance, and that sufficient funds are available.
4) The Minister for the Environment has placed very stringent conditions on the export of lead carbonate in containers through the Fremantle Port. Magellan must demonstrate that it can meet these conditions before the Minister issues final environmental approval for the proposal.
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
The health and ecological risk assessment will determine whether further clean-up in Esperance is needed. It is anticipated that a draft report of the phase one gap analysis will be completed by June 2008. This gap report will be distributed to stakeholders for input prior to finalisation, which is anticipated by the end of June 2008.
2) The health and ecological risk assessment referred to in the answer to question (1) will determine whether a systematic sampling program or further clean-up is needed in Esperance.
In the interim, DEC has commissioned a targeted sampling program to assess whether contamination levels in and around the Esperance town site are decreasing over time. Sampling will include selected residential and commercial buildings and the results will be incorporated into the health and ecological risk assessment.
DEC has also undertaken a comprehensive vegetation sampling program to determine current lead levels on vegetation in the Esperance town site. This information will be incorporated into the health and ecological risk assessment.
3) The State Government is ensuring that a comprehensive clean-up is taking place in Esperance, and that sufficient funds are available.
4) The Minister for the Environment has placed very stringent conditions on the export of lead carbonate in containers through the Fremantle Port. Magellan must demonstrate that it can meet these conditions before the Minister issues final environmental approval for the proposal.
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
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.