FORRESTFIELD–AIRPORT
LINK — SOIL CONTAMINATION
1278. Hon
Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to PFAS-contaminated soil
excavated from the Forrestfield–Airport Link and stockpiled on lot 777
Abernethy Road, Forrestfield.
(1) Notwithstanding
the view of the Public Transport Authority, does the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation consider that the use of this material as fill for the
NorthLink project is liable for the landfill levy?
(2) If yes to
(1), has the waste levy been charged and paid?
(3) If no to (1),
why not?
(4) Will the
minister table any departmental opinion or briefing note on DWER's
position on whether any liability exists?
(5) What is the
definition of ''temporary storage'' of PFAS-contaminated spoil,
and how long can it remain temporarily stored at one location?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) In
light of the Public Transport Authority's determination that the
material is not waste, the use of this material would not be liable for the
landfill levy.
(5) The Minister
for Transport has been clear that the spoil currently stockpiled in the
temporary storage area will be left in situ while negotiations for its re-use
are ongoing.