❓ A parliamentary question addresses concerns about a granite mine's potential impact on the Wooroloo Brook, a proposed public drinking water source. The Minister's response indicates monitoring occurs under existing environmental regulations, but specific water extraction data isn't collected due to licensing exemptions.
AnsweredQoN 1236Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SOURCE AREA, WOOROLOO BROOK
With regard to the major open-cut mining operation for granite extraction operated by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd at the Lakes about 50 kilometres east of Perth, which straddles the headwater tributaries to the salinity affected Wooroloo Brook - (1) Is the Wooroloo Brook catchment to be a proposed public drinking water source area; and, if so, what year is the proclamation of the catchment expected? (2) Given that the mining is being undertaken at up to 45 metres below the natural watertable, can the minister confirm whether pumping extraction of ground water to the surface is occurring; and, if so, what is the volume and quality of the water that is being pumped to the surface on a daily, seasonal and annual basis? (3) If pumping extraction of ground water to the surface is occurring, what is the estimated total volume of the ground water resource from which this ground water is being drawn? (4) What is the detailed inventory of water arrival, usage, storage and disposal at this mining operation on a seasonal and annual basis? Hon TOM STEPHENS
With regard to the major open-cut mining operation for granite extraction operated by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd at the Lakes about 50 kilometres east of Perth, which straddles the headwater tributaries to the salinity affected Wooroloo Brook - (1) Is the Wooroloo Brook catchment to be a proposed public drinking water source area; and, if so, what year is the proclamation of the catchment expected? (2) Given that the mining is being undertaken at up to 45 metres below the natural watertable, can the minister confirm whether pumping extraction of ground water to the surface is occurring; and, if so, what is the volume and quality of the water that is being pumped to the surface on a daily, seasonal and annual basis? (3) If pumping extraction of ground water to the surface is occurring, what is the estimated total volume of the ground water resource from which this ground water is being drawn? (4) What is the detailed inventory of water arrival, usage, storage and disposal at this mining operation on a seasonal and annual basis? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
(1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Water and Rivers Commission that the Wooroloo Brook catchment is a proposed public drinking water source area in the Water Corporation’s Perth water future strategy. However, proclamation is unlikely before 2031. (2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
(1) Is the Wooroloo Brook catchment to be a proposed public drinking water source area; and, if so, what year is the proclamation of the catchment expected? (2) Given that the mining is being undertaken at up to 45 metres below the natural watertable, can the minister confirm whether pumping extraction of ground water to the surface is occurring; and, if so, what is the volume and quality of the water that is being pumped to the surface on a daily, seasonal and annual basis? (3) If pumping extraction of ground water to the surface is occurring, what is the estimated total volume of the ground water resource from which this ground water is being drawn? (4) What is the detailed inventory of water arrival, usage, storage and disposal at this mining operation on a seasonal and annual basis? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Water and Rivers Commission that the Wooroloo Brook catchment is a proposed public drinking water source area in the Water Corporation’s Perth water future strategy. However, proclamation is unlikely before 2031. (2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
(2) Given that the mining is being undertaken at up to 45 metres below the natural watertable, can the minister confirm whether pumping extraction of ground water to the surface is occurring; and, if so, what is the volume and quality of the water that is being pumped to the surface on a daily, seasonal and annual basis? (3) If pumping extraction of ground water to the surface is occurring, what is the estimated total volume of the ground water resource from which this ground water is being drawn? (4) What is the detailed inventory of water arrival, usage, storage and disposal at this mining operation on a seasonal and annual basis? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Water and Rivers Commission that the Wooroloo Brook catchment is a proposed public drinking water source area in the Water Corporation’s Perth water future strategy. However, proclamation is unlikely before 2031. (2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
(3) If pumping extraction of ground water to the surface is occurring, what is the estimated total volume of the ground water resource from which this ground water is being drawn? (4) What is the detailed inventory of water arrival, usage, storage and disposal at this mining operation on a seasonal and annual basis? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Water and Rivers Commission that the Wooroloo Brook catchment is a proposed public drinking water source area in the Water Corporation’s Perth water future strategy. However, proclamation is unlikely before 2031. (2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
(4) What is the detailed inventory of water arrival, usage, storage and disposal at this mining operation on a seasonal and annual basis? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Water and Rivers Commission that the Wooroloo Brook catchment is a proposed public drinking water source area in the Water Corporation’s Perth water future strategy. However, proclamation is unlikely before 2031. (2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Water and Rivers Commission that the Wooroloo Brook catchment is a proposed public drinking water source area in the Water Corporation’s Perth water future strategy. However, proclamation is unlikely before 2031. (2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
(1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Water and Rivers Commission that the Wooroloo Brook catchment is a proposed public drinking water source area in the Water Corporation’s Perth water future strategy. However, proclamation is unlikely before 2031. (2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
(2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
(1) Is the Wooroloo Brook catchment to be a proposed public drinking water source area; and, if so, what year is the proclamation of the catchment expected? (2) Given that the mining is being undertaken at up to 45 metres below the natural watertable, can the minister confirm whether pumping extraction of ground water to the surface is occurring; and, if so, what is the volume and quality of the water that is being pumped to the surface on a daily, seasonal and annual basis? (3) If pumping extraction of ground water to the surface is occurring, what is the estimated total volume of the ground water resource from which this ground water is being drawn? (4) What is the detailed inventory of water arrival, usage, storage and disposal at this mining operation on a seasonal and annual basis? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Water and Rivers Commission that the Wooroloo Brook catchment is a proposed public drinking water source area in the Water Corporation’s Perth water future strategy. However, proclamation is unlikely before 2031. (2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
(2) Given that the mining is being undertaken at up to 45 metres below the natural watertable, can the minister confirm whether pumping extraction of ground water to the surface is occurring; and, if so, what is the volume and quality of the water that is being pumped to the surface on a daily, seasonal and annual basis? (3) If pumping extraction of ground water to the surface is occurring, what is the estimated total volume of the ground water resource from which this ground water is being drawn? (4) What is the detailed inventory of water arrival, usage, storage and disposal at this mining operation on a seasonal and annual basis? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Water and Rivers Commission that the Wooroloo Brook catchment is a proposed public drinking water source area in the Water Corporation’s Perth water future strategy. However, proclamation is unlikely before 2031. (2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
(3) If pumping extraction of ground water to the surface is occurring, what is the estimated total volume of the ground water resource from which this ground water is being drawn? (4) What is the detailed inventory of water arrival, usage, storage and disposal at this mining operation on a seasonal and annual basis? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Water and Rivers Commission that the Wooroloo Brook catchment is a proposed public drinking water source area in the Water Corporation’s Perth water future strategy. However, proclamation is unlikely before 2031. (2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
(4) What is the detailed inventory of water arrival, usage, storage and disposal at this mining operation on a seasonal and annual basis? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Water and Rivers Commission that the Wooroloo Brook catchment is a proposed public drinking water source area in the Water Corporation’s Perth water future strategy. However, proclamation is unlikely before 2031. (2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Water and Rivers Commission that the Wooroloo Brook catchment is a proposed public drinking water source area in the Water Corporation’s Perth water future strategy. However, proclamation is unlikely before 2031. (2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
(1) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised by the Water and Rivers Commission that the Wooroloo Brook catchment is a proposed public drinking water source area in the Water Corporation’s Perth water future strategy. However, proclamation is unlikely before 2031. (2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
(2)-(4) The mining operation by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in an area that is not proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. Therefore, it does not require a ground water abstraction licence from the Water and Rivers Commission. As it does not require a licence, there is no requirement for the company to provide the details requested to the Water and Rivers Commission. However, as the facility has activities being undertaken on site that are prescribed under the provisions of part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is required to hold a licence with the Department of Environmental Protection for these activities. This licence is for the screening and crushing activities undertaken on site - category 12 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Mine dewatering is not a prescribed activity that is undertaken on site, and a recent licence inspection indicated that all water on the site is directed to a storage dam for subsequent reuse on site for dust suppression and processing.
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.