Question On Notice No. 3026 asked in the Legislative Council on 9 November 2010 by Hon Lynn Maclaren
Question Directed to the: Minister for Child Protection representing the Minister for Planning
Parliament: 38 Session: 1
Question
(1) Can the Minister confirm if BHP Billiton Nickel West was involved in the initial planning, feasibility and design stages of the first Mundijong Road extension alignment?
(2) If yes to (1), did BHP Billiton Nickel West voice any concerns that the original alignment was so close to its tailings ponds?
(3) Were planning authorities aware that the first Mundijong Road alignment was so close to the tailings ponds?
(4) If yes to (3), what was the official description of the tailings pond in the initial planning, feasibility and design stages of the Mundijong Road extension?
(5) If no to (3), why not?
Answered on 2 December 2010
(1)Western Mining Corporation Limited (WMC), the owner of the Kwinana Nickel Refinery at the time, was not involved in the determination of the alignment of the first Mundijong Road alignment proposed for reservation in the Metropolitan Region Scheme in MRS Amendment 900/33A in 1992/3.
(2) WMC and Freehill Hollingdale & Page, solicitors to Muirwil Nominees Pty Ltd (as trustee for WMC) did express various concerns with the 1993 alignment of the Mundijong Road extension. They noted the proposed road had the potential to impact pipelines and production bores and intruded into the "buffer" created by WMC/Muirwill which protected the tailings ponds that were established in an isolated location not visible to the public.
(3) Yes
(4)The ponds were tailings ponds associated with the Kwinana Nickel Refinery process constructed pursuant to the Nickel Refinery (Western Mining Corporation Limited) Agreement Act 1968. In 1993, WMC was implementing a tailings pond rehabilitation project and effluent management system upgrade in accordance with a Consultative Environmental Review and works approval approved by the Environmental Protection Authority.
(5) Not applicable
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