Mrs PADGHAM-PURICH - 1995-02-22
Mr Speaker, I could ask this question of the Minister for Lands, Housing and Local Government because of his planning powers. I could ask it of the minister who has responsibility for the Power and Water Authority because of the powers in the PAWA legislation to control waterways and their pollution. I could also ask it of the Minister for
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Mines and Energy because he has powers under the Dangerous Goods Act. However, I direct it to the Minister for Conservation. What will he do to prevent future damage to low-lying, swampy Crown land from any future escape of waste oil from Hannons at the 12-Mile and also from other industrial blocks where waste oil is stored?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this is a good question. It appears that there has been some confusion about who is responsible for oil spills within certain designated areas. The other body that the member could have included is local government. There is a role for local government in the industrial estate where there is oil spillage. The honourable member is referring to an incident at the rear of Hannons at the 12-Mile. There seemed to be a great deal of confusion about which agency was directly responsible.
I assure the member for Nelson that I will ensure that a definitive statement is made - this will go before Cabinet - so that such incidents do not recur and there is clear line of responsibility in respect of such incidents. I will have the matter clarified for her. I understand that administratively it has been discussed across departments, but there is need for a clear statement from the government on this matter. I will provide that to her, certainly before the next sittings.
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Mines and Energy because he has powers under the Dangerous Goods Act. However, I direct it to the Minister for Conservation. What will he do to prevent future damage to low-lying, swampy Crown land from any future escape of waste oil from Hannons at the 12-Mile and also from other industrial blocks where waste oil is stored?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this is a good question. It appears that there has been some confusion about who is responsible for oil spills within certain designated areas. The other body that the member could have included is local government. There is a role for local government in the industrial estate where there is oil spillage. The honourable member is referring to an incident at the rear of Hannons at the 12-Mile. There seemed to be a great deal of confusion about which agency was directly responsible.
I assure the member for Nelson that I will ensure that a definitive statement is made - this will go before Cabinet - so that such incidents do not recur and there is clear line of responsibility in respect of such incidents. I will have the matter clarified for her. I understand that administratively it has been discussed across departments, but there is need for a clear statement from the government on this matter. I will provide that to her, certainly before the next sittings.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016