❓ Question regarding the progress of the proposed Point Samson buffer zone (ministerial reserve 35813), potential environmental contamination, and Rio Tinto's contribution. The Minister for Environment redirects most questions to the Minister for State Development.
AnsweredQoN 875Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
POINT
SAMSON — PROPOSED BUFFER ZONE
875. Hon JON FORD to the minister representing the Minister
for Environment:
I ask this question on behalf of Hon Helen Bullock. I refer to the proposed Point Samson buffer
zone, ministerial reserve 35813.
(1) What progress has been made with
the proposal to put in place an agreed Point Samson buffer zone?
(2) Can the
minister confirm that a proposal with widespread support has been on offer for
state government sign-off from around August 2008?
(3) Given past
problems with asbestos in the Point Samson community, will the government take
steps to ensure that further environmental contamination is not inflicted on
the township from other industries?
(4) Given that
Rio Tinto has given written confirmation of its willingness to make
contributions to the establishment and maintenance of the buffer, what is the
reason for the delay?
SAMSON — PROPOSED BUFFER ZONE
875. Hon JON FORD to the minister representing the Minister
for Environment:
I ask this question on behalf of Hon Helen Bullock. I refer to the proposed Point Samson buffer
zone, ministerial reserve 35813.
(1) What progress has been made with
the proposal to put in place an agreed Point Samson buffer zone?
(2) Can the
minister confirm that a proposal with widespread support has been on offer for
state government sign-off from around August 2008?
(3) Given past
problems with asbestos in the Point Samson community, will the government take
steps to ensure that further environmental contamination is not inflicted on
the township from other industries?
(4) Given that
Rio Tinto has given written confirmation of its willingness to make
contributions to the establishment and maintenance of the buffer, what is the
reason for the delay?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question.
Ministerial reserve 35813 is vested with the Minister for
State Development. Parts (1), (2) and (4) of this question should be referred
to that minister.
(3) Under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986, projects may be referred to the
Environmental Protection Authority for assessment, and implementation
conditions may be set to avoid, manage or mitigate environmental impacts.
Prescribed premises are subject to the assessment and regulatory framework
under part V of the Environmental Protection Act, which includes the management
of emissions.
When a site is reported as
contaminated or potentially contaminated due to asbestos to the Department of
Environment and Conservation under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, DEC seeks
advice from the Department of Health before classifying the site. If the
contamination represents a risk to human health or the environment on the basis
of the available information, DEC, in conjunction with the Department of
Health, may classify the site as contaminated and remediation required. If
asbestos is identified on a site but it is not known whether it represents a
risk to human health or the environment, the site may be classified as possibly
contaminated and investigation required.
Ministerial reserve 35813 is vested with the Minister for
State Development. Parts (1), (2) and (4) of this question should be referred
to that minister.
(3) Under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986, projects may be referred to the
Environmental Protection Authority for assessment, and implementation
conditions may be set to avoid, manage or mitigate environmental impacts.
Prescribed premises are subject to the assessment and regulatory framework
under part V of the Environmental Protection Act, which includes the management
of emissions.
When a site is reported as
contaminated or potentially contaminated due to asbestos to the Department of
Environment and Conservation under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, DEC seeks
advice from the Department of Health before classifying the site. If the
contamination represents a risk to human health or the environment on the basis
of the available information, DEC, in conjunction with the Department of
Health, may classify the site as contaminated and remediation required. If
asbestos is identified on a site but it is not known whether it represents a
risk to human health or the environment, the site may be classified as possibly
contaminated and investigation required.
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