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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 1046 asked in the Legislative Council on 18 October 2022 by Hon Dr Brad Pettitt

Question Directed to the: Minister for Emergency Services representing the Minister for Environment
Parliament: 41 Session: 1
Tabled Paper No: 1877- View tabled paper


Question

I refer to ALCOA’s activities in Western Australia, and I ask:
(a) what obligations does ALCOA have to the clean-up and rehabilitation of their refinery sites once operation ceases;
(b) what obligations does the State have to the clean-up and rehabilitation of these refinery sites once operation ceases;
(c) has ALCOA lodged a closure and rehabilitation plan and costing for either of these refineries:
(i) if yes for either of these facilities, will the Minister please table those plans; and
(d) has the State Government undertaken any estimation of the costs to rehabilitate these refinery sites:
(i) if yes for either, could the Minister please table these costs?

Answered on 22 November 2022

(a)   Alcoa is required to comply with the conditions of the Ministerial Statements that have been issued under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. Some Ministerial Statements include conditions for rehabilitation and closure of the refineries and associated infrastructure.

The refineries that have Ministerial Statements which include conditions relating to rehabilitation and closure are:

·         Ministerial Statement 622 – covers the Pinjarra refinery and includes a requirement for a decommissioning plan for the cogeneration facility; and

·         Ministerial Statement 728 – covers the Wagerup refinery and includes a requirement for a decommissioning plan and closure strategy for the long-term bauxite residue infrastructure.

(b)   The State does not have obligations under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 for the clean-up and rehabilitation of the refinery sites.

(c)   Alcoa has lodged Preliminary Decommissioning Plans for the Wagerup and Pinjarra refineries in accordance with Ministerial Statement conditions. Alcoa has published the Long-Term Residue Management Strategy for the Wagerup refinery on its website. I am advised that closure costings are not required to be provided to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

     (i)                 I table the Pinjarra Cogeneration plant Preliminary Decommissioning Plans (No. 2) for 2003 and 2006, and the Wagerup Refinery Preliminary Decommissioning Plan [see tabled papers no.   ].

(d)   No

     (i)                 Not applicable