❓ Hon Dr Steve Thomas questions the Minister for Environment regarding the scientific basis and discrepancies in threshold specifications for recycled road base outlined in the Waste Authority's ''Roads to Reuse'' document, compared to existing waste classification guidelines. The Minister requests the question be put on notice due to the level of detail required.
AnsweredQoN 1237Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WASTE AUTHORITY —
''ROADS TO REUSE''
1237. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Environment:
I
refer to the Waste Authority's document ''Roads to Reuse'',
released in September 2018, which states, and I quote —
� sets out product specification for
recycled road base and recycled drainage rock.
It also identifies on page 2, and I again
quote —
� Material meeting this specification will no longer be considered
a waste for the purposes of the waste levy.
(1) What was the
scientific and/or technical rationale upon which the threshold specifications
identified in table 2 on page 16 were developed or set?
(2) Were the
maximum concentration levels taken from or based on any other jurisdictions,
guidelines or research documentation; and, if so, what was the source and will
the minister table it, carefully?
(3) Why do the
thresholds differ from the thresholds set for uncontaminated fill in table 6 of
the ''Landfill Waste Classification Waste Definitions 1996 (as amended
in 2018)''?
(4) Given that
the thresholds for recycled road base in the ''Roads to Reuse''
document for chromium, copper, lead and mercury are double, the zinc threshold
is four times and the nickel threshold is six times those in the waste
definition document, would such road reuse material be classified as
uncontaminated fill?
''ROADS TO REUSE''
1237. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Environment:
I
refer to the Waste Authority's document ''Roads to Reuse'',
released in September 2018, which states, and I quote —
� sets out product specification for
recycled road base and recycled drainage rock.
It also identifies on page 2, and I again
quote —
� Material meeting this specification will no longer be considered
a waste for the purposes of the waste levy.
(1) What was the
scientific and/or technical rationale upon which the threshold specifications
identified in table 2 on page 16 were developed or set?
(2) Were the
maximum concentration levels taken from or based on any other jurisdictions,
guidelines or research documentation; and, if so, what was the source and will
the minister table it, carefully?
(3) Why do the
thresholds differ from the thresholds set for uncontaminated fill in table 6 of
the ''Landfill Waste Classification Waste Definitions 1996 (as amended
in 2018)''?
(4) Given that
the thresholds for recycled road base in the ''Roads to Reuse''
document for chromium, copper, lead and mercury are double, the zinc threshold
is four times and the nickel threshold is six times those in the waste
definition document, would such road reuse material be classified as
uncontaminated fill?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
Due to the level of detail required,
it is not possible to provide an answer in the time frame given. I ask that the
member put the question on notice.
some notice of the question.
Due to the level of detail required,
it is not possible to provide an answer in the time frame given. I ask that the
member put the question on notice.
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