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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 1530 asked in the Legislative Council on 3 December 2019 by Hon Tim Clifford

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

SOUTH GUILDFORD CLEANAWAY FACILITY FIRE

1530. Hon TIM CLIFFORD to the Minister for Environment:

I refer to the fire at the South Guildford Cleanaway facility.

(1) Has the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation completed its air pollution levels and water run-off monitoring for the facility fire, and —

(a) if yes, would the minister please table it; and

(b) if no, when is this likely to be completed?

(2) Approximately how much fire wastewater has entered the Swan River, and —

(a) at what locations did the fire wastewater enter the river; and

(b) what monitoring is being done to ascertain the impact on the Swan River?

(3) What direct support will the government provide to the affected community?

Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.

(1) The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation undertook air quality and water run-off monitoring from 25 to 30 November 2019. Real-time air quality monitoring results were reported directly to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. The monitoring data collected during the fire is now being processed and is expected to be finalised by mid–December 2019.

(2) The majority of firefighting run-off water was prevented from entering the Swan River by DWER officers, with over two million litres being collected for disposal. Despite these efforts, an unknown amount entered the Swan River on 25 to 26 November 2019.

(a) Riverside Drive, South Guildford.

(b) The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions undertook water monitoring on 26 and 27 November 2019. Water samples were analysed at ChemCentre for nutrients, hydrocarbon, combustion by-products and plastic residues. Analysis for biological oxygen demand and PFAS was undertaken for 26 November samples.

(3) DWER provided air monitoring and firefighting run-off management support to protect public health and the environment during the incident. The recovery phase will be managed by the local government and the department will provide support as required.