❓ A parliamentary question regarding the environmental impact of dredging operations at the Port of Geraldton, specifically concerning turbidity, hydrocarbon emissions, and the health of seagrass meadows. The Minister acknowledges issues and ongoing investigations.
AnsweredQoN 989Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the current dredging operations associated with the expansion of the port of Geraldton. (1) Does the extensive heavy and persistent turbidity currently occurring between Point Moore and Champion Bay conform with the environmental and pollution licence conditions set for the project? (2) Does the emission of grease and other hydrocarbons from the dredge to the marine environment conform with the environmental and pollution licence conditions set for the project? (3) If no to (1) and (2), why has the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of Environment, Water and Catchment Protection permitted the dredging operations and the associated environmental harm to continue? (4) What is the current health status and long-term prognosis for the seagrass meadows of Champion Bay? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(1) Does the extensive heavy and persistent turbidity currently occurring between Point Moore and Champion Bay conform with the environmental and pollution licence conditions set for the project? (2) Does the emission of grease and other hydrocarbons from the dredge to the marine environment conform with the environmental and pollution licence conditions set for the project? (3) If no to (1) and (2), why has the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of Environment, Water and Catchment Protection permitted the dredging operations and the associated environmental harm to continue? (4) What is the current health status and long-term prognosis for the seagrass meadows of Champion Bay? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(2) Does the emission of grease and other hydrocarbons from the dredge to the marine environment conform with the environmental and pollution licence conditions set for the project? (3) If no to (1) and (2), why has the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of Environment, Water and Catchment Protection permitted the dredging operations and the associated environmental harm to continue? (4) What is the current health status and long-term prognosis for the seagrass meadows of Champion Bay? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(3) If no to (1) and (2), why has the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of Environment, Water and Catchment Protection permitted the dredging operations and the associated environmental harm to continue? (4) What is the current health status and long-term prognosis for the seagrass meadows of Champion Bay? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(4) What is the current health status and long-term prognosis for the seagrass meadows of Champion Bay? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(1) Does the extensive heavy and persistent turbidity currently occurring between Point Moore and Champion Bay conform with the environmental and pollution licence conditions set for the project? (2) Does the emission of grease and other hydrocarbons from the dredge to the marine environment conform with the environmental and pollution licence conditions set for the project? (3) If no to (1) and (2), why has the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of Environment, Water and Catchment Protection permitted the dredging operations and the associated environmental harm to continue? (4) What is the current health status and long-term prognosis for the seagrass meadows of Champion Bay? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(2) Does the emission of grease and other hydrocarbons from the dredge to the marine environment conform with the environmental and pollution licence conditions set for the project? (3) If no to (1) and (2), why has the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of Environment, Water and Catchment Protection permitted the dredging operations and the associated environmental harm to continue? (4) What is the current health status and long-term prognosis for the seagrass meadows of Champion Bay? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(3) If no to (1) and (2), why has the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of Environment, Water and Catchment Protection permitted the dredging operations and the associated environmental harm to continue? (4) What is the current health status and long-term prognosis for the seagrass meadows of Champion Bay? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(4) What is the current health status and long-term prognosis for the seagrass meadows of Champion Bay? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(1) The level of turbidity associated with the Geraldton port enhancement project has been greater than expected. The Department of Environmental Protection is currently concluding a report for the acting chief executive. (2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(2) This issue is most appropriately dealt with under the provisions of the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987, which falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently investigating these matters. (3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(3) Not applicable. (4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
(4) Recent surveys found signs of reduced vigour in seagrass in Champion Bay compared to a reference site. These signs included reduced leaf numbers ranging from significant leaf loss in areas adjacent to the channel to slight reductions in leaf numbers at sites up to approximately seven kilometres north. The ecological indications are currently unknown and unquantifiable.
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