Question On Notice No. 1692 asked in the Legislative Council on 23 September 2014 by Hon Lynn Maclaren
Question Directed to the: Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Parliament: 39 Session: 1
Question
(1) With reference to the proposed Amendment No. 152 to Town Planning Scheme No. 6 - Recoding of Land Bound by Albany Highway, and Peckham, Bromley and Harris Streets, Beckenham from Residential R17.5 to Residential R25, when will the Minister make a final determination?
(2) On what basis did the Environmental Protection Authority determine that the proposed scheme amendment would not cause an increase in sediments being washed in Yule Brook?
(3) What concerns did the Swan River Trust detail on the quality and quantity of stormwater entering Yule Brook?
(4) What effect will this stormwater have on the population of freshwater mussels within Yule Brook?
(5) Is the Minister aware of the March 2012 Murdoch University report, Population assessment of freshwater mussels within Yule Brook between Kenwick Link and Albany Highway?
(6) What will be the effect on the freshwater mussels within Yule Brook between Kenwick Link and Albany Highway?
(7) What water quality monitoring for changes in salinity, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen will be undertaken by Department of Parks and Wildlife in the affect areas?
(8) How long will the monitoring in (7) take place?
(9) In line with the recommendations of the report, what will be done to maintain this population of westralunio carteri in terms of:
(a) reducing or eliminating sedimentation;
(b) improving habitats by revegetation;
(c) maintaining water levels with salinities in the <1.0-2.0 ppt range; and
(d) encouraging freshwater fish to utilize spawning habitats?
Answered on 18 November 2014
(1) The Minister for Planning granted final approval to Amendment No. 152 to Town Planning Scheme No. 6 on 20 October 2014.
(2) Amendment No. 152 increases the allowed residential density on the subject site which is already zoned for "Residential" development, and already largely developed, the Environmental Protection Authority was satisfied that the amendment would not cause significant additional impacts to Yule Brook.
(3) The Swan River Trust had no objection to the amendment, but noted that management of stormwater could be satisfactory managed through a stormwater management plan.
(4) It is not anticipated that there will be any long term impact on the population of freshwater mussels in Yule Brook as a result of this Scheme amendment provided salinity and turbidity levels are managed.
(5) Yes
(6) See response to question (4)
(7) The Department of Water funded by the Swan River Trust currently monitors water quality at the end of the Yule Brook Catchment for nitrogen, phosphorus, suspended solids, dissolved oxygen and salinity.
(8) The Swan River Trust has overseen and funded monitoring at the end of Yule Brook in partnership with organisations such as the Department of Water, for more than 20 years. Monitoring will continue under the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
(9)(a)-(d) The Swan River Trust is working to maintain water quality throughout the Yule Brook Catchment in partnership with the City of Gosnells and community natural resource management (NRM) groups such as the South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare. On ground projects to reduce sediment, increase habitats and protect water quality include revegetation activities in the catchment and restoring streams that flow into Yule Brook. An improvement in water quality in Yule Brook occurred in 2006 when it began passing the long-term target for phosphorus. Since that time this important tributary has continued to pass long-term targets for both phosphorus and nitrogen.