WATER QUALITY —
COORINJINNA POOL — PILBARA
1329. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to question on notice 2462,
asked on 17 September 2019 of the Minister for Environment, concerning heavy
metal pollution in Whim Creek and the Balla Balla River system.
(1) Has the
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation concluded its investigation
into the heavy metal pollution at Whim Creek?
(2) If no to (1),
and given that over a year has passed, can the minister suggest when the
investigation is to conclude?
(3) If yes to (1), what was the
source of the contamination?
(4) If yes to (1), what compensation or indemnity is the
government seeking in relation to part (3)?
(5) How will the area be
rehabilitated?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has completed its
investigation into the event concerning discharges into Whim Creek and the
Balla Balla River system.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) DWER identified the Whim Creek
copper project as the source.
(4)–(5) In
addition to the investigation, the department issued an environmental
protection notice, or an EPN, to Venturex
Pilbara Pty Ltd and Blackrock Metals Pty Ltd. The EPN requires the owner–occupier
to determine the extent of
contamination. Once the extent of contamination is determined, DWER will
require appropriate remedial actions, which will be at the cost of the owner–occupier.