❓ Hon Robin Chapple raises concerns about Alkina Holdings' landfill application regarding potential environmental risks (leachate, asbestos, earthquakes) to water sources, agricultural land, and public safety, also questioning traffic impact. The Minister acknowledges the assessment process and defers traffic-related questions.
AnsweredQoN 387Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Alkina Holdings Pty Ltd's application for a works approval for a landfill site, being the Great Southern Landfill of Lot 4869 on Plan 224502 in Certificate of Title Volume 285, Folio 784 at St. Ronan’s York, and ask:
(a) what is the risk of leachate and other pollutants, including the possible storage of crocidolite asbestos fibres, contaminating the Mundaring Weir catchment areas such as St. Ronan’s Well and Conservation Area (Western Australia Government Heritage Commission Listing 04429), local fresh ground water such as at St. Ronan’s Well itself and attendant water courses, creeks and river systems;
(b) what assurance and absolute protection is to be provided to prevent the contamination of surrounding valuable, finite, highly productive agricultural land including under the
Australian Government Biodiversity Act 2015
in accordance with, but not limited to, its export compliance regulations regarding contaminated agricultural goods;
(c) what absolute protection is guaranteed against catastrophic breaching of this landfill site by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake, creating a 3 metre high fault line, 40 kilometres in length which occurred approximately 40 kilometres from this site 49 years ago;
(d) what viable and adequate emergency contingency plans will be put in place to minimize any environmental, property and personal damage to those persons located within a radius of a minimum of 10 kilometres of the site in case of any breech and who will pay for the implementation of these plans and any infrastructure required including forms of risk insurance, now and in the future;
(e) what is the current traffic volume for both private and commercial vehicles using the Great Southern Highway between The Lakes and St. Ronan’s;
(f) what will be the weekly volume of Alkina Holdings Pty Ltd waste management vehicles and their tonnage using what is considered to be, by its users and the former Premier, Colin Barnett and the former Minister for Water and the Member for Central Wheatbelt, Mia Davies, as a possibly dangerous, narrow, winding road, potentially unsuitable for large increases in heavy haulage traffic movements; and
(g) what has been the death and serious injury toll on the Great Southern Highway, between The Lakes and St. Ronan’s since 2001?
(a) what is the risk of leachate and other pollutants, including the possible storage of crocidolite asbestos fibres, contaminating the Mundaring Weir catchment areas such as St. Ronan’s Well and Conservation Area (Western Australia Government Heritage Commission Listing 04429), local fresh ground water such as at St. Ronan’s Well itself and attendant water courses, creeks and river systems;
(b) what assurance and absolute protection is to be provided to prevent the contamination of surrounding valuable, finite, highly productive agricultural land including under the
Australian Government Biodiversity Act 2015
in accordance with, but not limited to, its export compliance regulations regarding contaminated agricultural goods;
(c) what absolute protection is guaranteed against catastrophic breaching of this landfill site by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake, creating a 3 metre high fault line, 40 kilometres in length which occurred approximately 40 kilometres from this site 49 years ago;
(d) what viable and adequate emergency contingency plans will be put in place to minimize any environmental, property and personal damage to those persons located within a radius of a minimum of 10 kilometres of the site in case of any breech and who will pay for the implementation of these plans and any infrastructure required including forms of risk insurance, now and in the future;
(e) what is the current traffic volume for both private and commercial vehicles using the Great Southern Highway between The Lakes and St. Ronan’s;
(f) what will be the weekly volume of Alkina Holdings Pty Ltd waste management vehicles and their tonnage using what is considered to be, by its users and the former Premier, Colin Barnett and the former Minister for Water and the Member for Central Wheatbelt, Mia Davies, as a possibly dangerous, narrow, winding road, potentially unsuitable for large increases in heavy haulage traffic movements; and
(g) what has been the death and serious injury toll on the Great Southern Highway, between The Lakes and St. Ronan’s since 2001?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
28 November 2017
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
9 days
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is currently assessing a works approval application (W6077/2017/1) for the construction of a class II putrescible landfill site on Great Southern Highway, St Ronans. I understand that the application has proposed an annual throughput of 200 000 tonnes which equates to approximately 3 800 tonnes of waste being delivered to the site each week. The Department is currently assessing potential risks to the environment and public health posed by landfill emissions including leachate and asbestos fibre release. Part of this assessment includes consideration of risk to sensitive receptors, such as groundwater, surface water bodies and conservation areas. The potential for ground disturbance, including the probability of earthquakes occurring and impacting on the proposed landfill is also being considered. I am advised that the Department has consulted with a range of stakeholders on the application and received a number of submissions which will be considered prior to making a determination. Questions related to traffic increases and road safety should be referred respectively to the Ministers for Transport and Road Safety.
I understand that the application has proposed an annual throughput of 200 000 tonnes which equates to approximately 3 800 tonnes of waste being delivered to the site each week. The Department is currently assessing potential risks to the environment and public health posed by landfill emissions including leachate and asbestos fibre release. Part of this assessment includes consideration of risk to sensitive receptors, such as groundwater, surface water bodies and conservation areas. The potential for ground disturbance, including the probability of earthquakes occurring and impacting on the proposed landfill is also being considered. I am advised that the Department has consulted with a range of stakeholders on the application and received a number of submissions which will be considered prior to making a determination. Questions related to traffic increases and road safety should be referred respectively to the Ministers for Transport and Road Safety.
The Department is currently assessing potential risks to the environment and public health posed by landfill emissions including leachate and asbestos fibre release. Part of this assessment includes consideration of risk to sensitive receptors, such as groundwater, surface water bodies and conservation areas. The potential for ground disturbance, including the probability of earthquakes occurring and impacting on the proposed landfill is also being considered. I am advised that the Department has consulted with a range of stakeholders on the application and received a number of submissions which will be considered prior to making a determination. Questions related to traffic increases and road safety should be referred respectively to the Ministers for Transport and Road Safety.
I am advised that the Department has consulted with a range of stakeholders on the application and received a number of submissions which will be considered prior to making a determination. Questions related to traffic increases and road safety should be referred respectively to the Ministers for Transport and Road Safety.
Questions related to traffic increases and road safety should be referred respectively to the Ministers for Transport and Road Safety.
I understand that the application has proposed an annual throughput of 200 000 tonnes which equates to approximately 3 800 tonnes of waste being delivered to the site each week. The Department is currently assessing potential risks to the environment and public health posed by landfill emissions including leachate and asbestos fibre release. Part of this assessment includes consideration of risk to sensitive receptors, such as groundwater, surface water bodies and conservation areas. The potential for ground disturbance, including the probability of earthquakes occurring and impacting on the proposed landfill is also being considered. I am advised that the Department has consulted with a range of stakeholders on the application and received a number of submissions which will be considered prior to making a determination. Questions related to traffic increases and road safety should be referred respectively to the Ministers for Transport and Road Safety.
The Department is currently assessing potential risks to the environment and public health posed by landfill emissions including leachate and asbestos fibre release. Part of this assessment includes consideration of risk to sensitive receptors, such as groundwater, surface water bodies and conservation areas. The potential for ground disturbance, including the probability of earthquakes occurring and impacting on the proposed landfill is also being considered. I am advised that the Department has consulted with a range of stakeholders on the application and received a number of submissions which will be considered prior to making a determination. Questions related to traffic increases and road safety should be referred respectively to the Ministers for Transport and Road Safety.
I am advised that the Department has consulted with a range of stakeholders on the application and received a number of submissions which will be considered prior to making a determination. Questions related to traffic increases and road safety should be referred respectively to the Ministers for Transport and Road Safety.
Questions related to traffic increases and road safety should be referred respectively to the Ministers for Transport and Road Safety.
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