Question On Notice No. 415 asked in the Legislative Council on 31 October 2017 by Hon Robin Chapple
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Tabled Paper No: 999-
View tabled paper
Question
I refer to question on notice No. 175 asked on 11 March 2015 regarding the Derby Tidal Power Project - Compliance Assessment Report, and ask:
(a) is the Minister aware that Tidal Energy Australia has not placed the compliance assessment report on its website in accordance with the commitment made in the compliance assessment plan;
(b) will the Minister table the compliance assessment reports provided by Tidal Energy Australia as per its commitment made in the compliance assessment plan;
(c) if no to (b), why not;
(d) if Tidal Energy Australia has not provided the compliance assessment report, will the Minister please explain why; and
(e) if Tidal Energy Australia has not provided the compliance assessment report, how will the Minister ensure it is provided and under what timeframe?
Answered on 7 December 2017
(a) I am advised that a compliance assessment report dated 16 October 2014 has been published on the Tidal Energy Australia Pty Ltd (Tidal Energy Australia) website. In May 2015, The Office of the Environmental Protection Authority approved a revision to Tidal Energy Australia’s compliance assessment plan removing the commitment to place such reports on its website. The revised compliance assessment plan commits to making compliance assessment reports publicly available on request within seven days of receipt of the request.
(b) Yes, the compliance assessment reports submitted by Tidal Energy Australia Pty Ltd in October 2014 and October 2015 are tabled. See tabled papers no. #
(c) Not applicable
(d) The project is yet to be implemented as it is awaiting approval from the Federal Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. In September 2016 Tidal Energy Australia sought approval to place its compliance reporting requirements on hold until the project commences implementation.
(e) The Department of Water and Environment Regulation has reviewed this request and has written to the company advising it to submit compliance reports for 2016 and 2017 by 28 February 2018.