Question On Notice No. 1737 asked in the Legislative Council on 6 November 2018 by Hon Diane Evers
Question Directed to the: Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the former Dalyellup Waste Residue Disposal Facility (DWRDF), which is unlined and leaching into the environment, and the proposed Greenpatch development which shares its western boundary with this site, and I ask:
(a) is there any current buffer zone established for the DWRDF;
(b) have the Radiological Council, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) or Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) given any advice on separation distances/buffer zone from the unlined DWRDF which contains Technological Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material for earthworks;
(c) if yes to (b), will the Minister please table a copy of the advice given;
(d) if no to (b), why not;
(e) have the Radiological Council, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation or Environmental Protection Authority given any advice on separation distances/buffer zone from the unlined DWRDF which contains Technological Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material for the development of residential areas;
(f) if yes to (e), will the Minister please table a copy of the advice given;
(g) if no to (e), why not; and
(h) if no to (b) or (e), will the Radiological Council, DWER or EPA give advice on separation distances/buffer zones?
Answered on 4 December 2018
I am advised that the Department of Health do not have any monitoring data that supports the view that radioisotopes associated with the waste are leaching into the environment. In response to your questions I am advised that:
(a)-(b) No.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) There is no requirement for a buffer zone.
(e) Yes (Radiological Council). Neither the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation or the Environmental Protection Authority are overseen by the Minister for Health.
(f) No (Radiological Council). Neither the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation or the Environmental Protection Authority are overseen by the Minister for Health.
(g) The advice was given with respect to a situation that is no longer current and which was in place until no longer required.
(h) A buffer zone is not required.