Skip to main content
Home
  • The Legislative Assembly meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Assembly sit 16/04/2024
  • The Legislative Council meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Council sit 16/04/2024
  • The Public Administration meets on 08/04/2024 (10:00 AM)
    Committee meet 08/04/2024

Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 466 asked in the Legislative Council on 31 October 2017 by Hon Dr Steve Thomas

Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Transport
Parliament: 40 Session: 1


Question

I refer to the potential contamination of soil and water by chemicals known as per and poly fluoro alkyl substances (PFAS) found in retardant foam, and I ask:

(a) is the Minister or the Public Transport Authority (PTA) aware of PFAS contamination in soil taken, or likely to be taken, from the Forrestfield Airport Link tunnelling project being overseen by the PTA;
(b) can the Minister confirm the stockpiling of PFAS contaminated soil from this project;
(c) if yes to (b), where is this stockpile of PFAS contaminated soil located; and
(d) if yes to (b), what plan is in place to manage the PFAS contaminated soil?
Answered on 6 December 2017

(a) Yes. During routine site investigations minor yet detectable concentrations of PFAS were encountered in soil for the Forrestfield Airport Link (FAL) project commissioned by the Public Transport Authority (PTA).

(b)-(c) Soil with minor but detectable levels of PFAS excavated by the FAL project is currently being temporarily stored on PTA land at 777 Abernathy Road, Forrestfield to ensure that construction continues to progress on schedule.

(d) The State is discussing a number of initiatives for the final disposal of the soil with the Federal Government and the relevant State agencies, principally the DWER.

We anticipate that the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan which is currently being developed by all States, Territories and the Commonwealth will provide guidance on management of soil containing minor concentrations of PFAS, such as that excavated by the FAL project.