❓ Hon. Charles Smith questions the Minister for Environment regarding unapproved landfill at 1056 Great Northern Highway, Baskerville, citing discrepancies in DWER's assessment and requesting a thorough investigation. The Minister defends the original investigation and invites further evidence.
AnsweredQoN 3368Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to unapproved
landfill on 1056 Great Northern Highway (34 Haddrill Rd), Baskerville, I thank you for your responses.
The Minister’s earlier responses on the above matter of
unapproved landfill stated that there was only landfill on driveways and
firebreaks, and the quantity of landfill did not exceed the
quantities allowed by the Environmental
Protection Act 1986 and the Environmental Protections Regulations 1987 ,
Section 52, Regulation 5, Schedule 1, (despite the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation (DWER) not measuring or determining the quantity).
In 2019, Mr James (Jim) Davies of JDA Consultant
Hydrologists examined the above property and one of the statements in his
report is,
“My observations on site were that the adjacent properties to the
west, north and
east were saturated to the surface in places (waterlogged) but
that the property
itself does not show waterlogging, suggesting that it has been
filled above the
natural ground surface by perhaps up
to one metre in recent years.”
Mr Davies agreed that the approximate quantity of landfill
imported and spread on the main rectangular portion of the above property
(being approximately 23,300 square metres in area, excluding the dam), since
2013, is approximately 23,200 cubic metres. Using a nominal bulk density for soil of 1.4 tonnes per cubic
meter, that equals approximately 32,480 tonnes of landfill.
This is consistent with
the numerous independent sources of aerial
photographs, (including Landgate, Google Earth, Nearmaps, City of Swan
Intramaps); aerial photographs;
various surveys;
complaints and information lodged with the DWER
and City of Swan;
a statement by one of the present owner(s), Swan
Valley Gourmet Facebook, the obvious, abrupt and significant difference
in soil level between the above property and neighbouring properties,
particularly to the south, east and north (south of the dam). In particular,
the bottom of original fences and the soil level on the abovementioned
property and
surveys of the abovementioned property pre mid-2013
that are different to those post mid-2013.
Finally,
the owner(s) of the above property have, on several occasions, been seen burying
material in the south-east quadrant of the abovementioned property using a
bobcat. This is not necessarily an offence, however is believed to be worthy of
investigation. This area has an estimated two metres of landfill. In relation to the above, I ask: (a) as the DWER has maintained its above stated position, will the Minister immediately instigate a full, thorough, independent and transparent investigation of the location(s), types, quantity and impacts (current and potential latent) of the landfill by suitably qualified and experienced professionals and, if required, exercise all legal means necessary to complete the investigation: (i) if no to (a), why not; and (b) will the Minister publish and make public, the full, unedited, unredacted investigation report when it is completed: (i) if no to (b), why not?
landfill on 1056 Great Northern Highway (34 Haddrill Rd), Baskerville, I thank you for your responses.
The Minister’s earlier responses on the above matter of
unapproved landfill stated that there was only landfill on driveways and
firebreaks, and the quantity of landfill did not exceed the
quantities allowed by the Environmental
Protection Act 1986 and the Environmental Protections Regulations 1987 ,
Section 52, Regulation 5, Schedule 1, (despite the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation (DWER) not measuring or determining the quantity).
In 2019, Mr James (Jim) Davies of JDA Consultant
Hydrologists examined the above property and one of the statements in his
report is,
“My observations on site were that the adjacent properties to the
west, north and
east were saturated to the surface in places (waterlogged) but
that the property
itself does not show waterlogging, suggesting that it has been
filled above the
natural ground surface by perhaps up
to one metre in recent years.”
Mr Davies agreed that the approximate quantity of landfill
imported and spread on the main rectangular portion of the above property
(being approximately 23,300 square metres in area, excluding the dam), since
2013, is approximately 23,200 cubic metres. Using a nominal bulk density for soil of 1.4 tonnes per cubic
meter, that equals approximately 32,480 tonnes of landfill.
This is consistent with
the numerous independent sources of aerial
photographs, (including Landgate, Google Earth, Nearmaps, City of Swan
Intramaps); aerial photographs;
various surveys;
complaints and information lodged with the DWER
and City of Swan;
a statement by one of the present owner(s), Swan
Valley Gourmet Facebook, the obvious, abrupt and significant difference
in soil level between the above property and neighbouring properties,
particularly to the south, east and north (south of the dam). In particular,
the bottom of original fences and the soil level on the abovementioned
property and
surveys of the abovementioned property pre mid-2013
that are different to those post mid-2013.
Finally,
the owner(s) of the above property have, on several occasions, been seen burying
material in the south-east quadrant of the abovementioned property using a
bobcat. This is not necessarily an offence, however is believed to be worthy of
investigation. This area has an estimated two metres of landfill. In relation to the above, I ask: (a) as the DWER has maintained its above stated position, will the Minister immediately instigate a full, thorough, independent and transparent investigation of the location(s), types, quantity and impacts (current and potential latent) of the landfill by suitably qualified and experienced professionals and, if required, exercise all legal means necessary to complete the investigation: (i) if no to (a), why not; and (b) will the Minister publish and make public, the full, unedited, unredacted investigation report when it is completed: (i) if no to (b), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
26 November 2020
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
10 days
In relation the Honourable Member’s detailed preamble, I have previously advised through my response to questions on notice 2299 and 2694, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has investigated allegations of illegal landfilling at 1056 Great Northern Highway, Baskerville. The Department determined that materials had been brought onto the property to establish residential and commercial structures, roads and firebreaks. To refer to the property as a landfill is inaccurate. In addition, the Department is not aware of the report by Mr James Davies of JDA Consultant Hydrologists and referenced in the question.
(a) – (b) I am advised that since the original investigation undertaken in 2017, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has determined that there has not been any further information provided to warrant a fresh investigation. Any evidence or reports indicating offences against the Environmental Protection Act 1986 should be referred to the Department on the 24 hour Pollution Watch hotline on 1300 784 782, so that it can be investigated.
(a) – (b) I am advised that since the original investigation undertaken in 2017, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has determined that there has not been any further information provided to warrant a fresh investigation. Any evidence or reports indicating offences against the Environmental Protection Act 1986 should be referred to the Department on the 24 hour Pollution Watch hotline on 1300 784 782, so that it can be investigated.
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