DUST MANAGEMENT — BUYBACK SCHEME — PORT HEDLAND
220. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Minister for Regional
Development:
I refer to the Port Hedland buyback scheme as a result of
inhabitable dust pollution.
(1) When will
the independent dust monitors be operational?
(2) Is the
data from these monitors to be made publicly available?
(3) How many
properties are included in the buyback scheme?
(4) Is the
eligible property boundary drawn at Taplin Street inclusive of properties on
both sides of the street?
(5) Are government-owned properties and
corporate-owned properties included in the buyback, or just properties
owned by individuals and family companies?
Hon DARREN WEST replied:
I thank the honourable
member for some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Regional
Development, I provide the following answer.
(1) The Department of Water and Environmental
Regulation expects to take over management of the Port Hedland ambient
air quality monitoring network as soon as practicable. Timing is subject to an
agreement being reached between DWER and the Port Hedland Industries Council to
ensure that costs are covered by industry and the procurement of services to
operate and maintain the network. The Port Hedland Industries Council will
continue to operate the monitoring network until the transfer occurs.
(2) Yes.
(3)–(5)
We are working through the technical design
of the scheme, which we will announce as soon as practicable. Minister
MacTiernan has made it clear that the scheme will apply to only residential
properties, as commercial properties are not adversely affected by rezoning.