Environmental Protection (Kwinana) (Atmospheric Wastes) Policy of 1999

Question On Notice No. 2163 asked in the Legislative Council on 24 March 2010 by Hon Lynn Maclaren Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment Minister responding: Hon D.E.M. Faragher Parliament: 38 Session: 1

Question

(1) Is the Minister aware that the Environmental Protection (Kwinana) (Atmospheric Wastes) Policy of 1999, is overdue for its seven year review?

(2) Does the Minister intend to update this Environmental Protection Policy to make it consistent with the National Environmental Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (1998)(NEPM)?

(3) If no to (2), why not?

(4) What does the Government intend to do to implement the Ambient Air Quality NEPM for the rest of Western Australia?

(5) What does the Government intend to do to implement the National Environmental (Air Toxics) Measure (2004) in WA?

(6) What time frames has the Minister set for the implementation of the measures mentioned in questions (2), (4), and (5) above?

Answered on 4 May 2010

(1) The Office of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has advised me that the review of Environmental Protection (Kwinana) (Atmospheric Wastes) Policy of 1999 was deferred in accordance with section 36(1)(b) of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. A notice to this effect was published in the Gazette on 27 June 2008. The EPA released a Discussion Paper in June 2009 that invited public comment and discussion on the options for the EPA to consider regarding the review. The EPA is currently considering submissions and will recommend what changes, if any, should be made to the EPP. If changes are proposed, a revised draft will then be prepared for public comment.

(2)-(3) I have been advised that this option was included in the Discussion Paper. The EPA is currently reviewing submissions and will provide its recommendations accordingly.

(4) The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is implementing ambient air monitoring and reporting as required under the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure. The Government is also progressing the State Environmental (Ambient Air) Policy. I released the State Environmental (Ambient Air) Policy for comment in June 2009 and the Office of the EPA is currently reviewing submissions and will provide me with advice on the policy.

(5) The National Environment Protection (Air Toxics) Measure aims to improve the information base regarding ambient air toxics to support development of air toxic standards. As part of the initial phase of the Measure's implementation, DEC conducted a desktop study to identify and prioritise air toxic monitoring areas for the five chemicals to which the Measure applies. DEC subsequently conducted air monitoring within selected representative priority areas (Duncraig and Perth CBD), and the measured air toxics levels were below the Monitoring Investigation Levels specified by the Measure.

DEC shall continue to re-assess the identification of monitoring sites, undertake monitoring as required and report annually on progress to the National Environment Protection Council.

(6) See the answers to (2), (4) and (5).

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