Question On Notice No. 1733 asked in the Legislative Council on 1 November 2018 by Hon Diane Evers
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment; Disability Services
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
The Dalyellup Greenpatch has
wetlands of conservation status which is surrounded by vegetation described in
the environmental assessment report as ‘Excellent.’ Why have the Fresh Water
Guidelines for chromium and heavy metals (more conservative than non-potable
guidelines) not been applied to the water at this site?
Answered on 29 November 2018
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions advises there are no mapped geomorphic wetlands of any management category (conservation or otherwise) on the Greenpatch development site (Lot 9105 on Plan 404839 and Lots 8019 and 9076 on Plan 55511).
The RPS Preliminary Site Investigation report (Tabled paper No. 2066, tabled on 16 October 2018) identified two surface water bodies on the Greenpatch development site, and described these as a man-made ‘sump’ or ‘dam’ in the north-east portion of Lot 9076 and a man-made drainage reserve at the south-eastern portion of the site (Tables B and C).
These surface water bodies are located up hydraulic gradient of the former waste residue disposal facility, meaning that groundwater flows from these water bodies towards the waste residue disposal facility (not the other way round).
The RPS report documents comparison of groundwater analysis results for chromium VI and other metals against freshwater guidelines (or FWG) in sections 7.2.2 and 8.3.1 and Table 3.
The reasons given by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation for classifying Lots 8019, 9076 and 9105 as ‘report not substantiated’ under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 also document comparison of groundwater analysis results against freshwater guidelines, as well as against other relevant assessment levels. I table the Basic Summary of Records for Lot 9105, setting out the Department’s reasons for classification. [Tabled paper No. ]
The Contaminated Sites Committee is currently considering appeals against the classification of Lots 8019, 9076 and 9105 as ‘report not substantiated’.