Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Waters, move:

That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 21 March 2017:

The Commonwealth's responsibility under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to protect the globally significant and National Heritage listed Aboriginal rock art of the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia, with particular reference to:

(a) the total industrial pollution load from existing industrial activities and port zone on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia, and its existing impacts on Aboriginal rock art;

(b) the projected additional pollution load from the Yara Pilbara Fertilisers Pty Ltd ammonium nitrate plant, including the likely impacts on the Aboriginal rock art, human health and the environment;

(c) the accuracy and adequacy of reports used by the Western Australian and Commonwealth Governments when setting the relevant technical, environmental and cultural conditions regulating the construction and operation of the Yara Pilbara Fertilisers Pty Ltd ammonium nitrate plant in an area of highly significant Aboriginal rock art;

(d) the rigour and adequacy of the monitoring, analysis, compliance and enforcement performed by the Western Australian and Commonwealth Government agencies in carrying out their legislated responsibilities in overseeing industries on the Burrup Peninsula;

(e) the projected level of fugitive gas and nitric acid leaks from the Yara PiIbara fertiliser and ammonium nitrate plants, their effects on human health, likely effects on rock art and the general environment, and the adequacy of the company responses;

(f) the failure by Yara Pilbara Fertilisers Pty Ltd, the Western Australian Government or the Federal Government to include risk analysis of establishing an ammonium nitrate plant in close proximity to the rock art, a gas hub and major port and in a cyclone surge zone;

(g) the adequacy of the Yara Pilbara plans to protect the communities of Dampier and Karratha and the rock art sites from the consequences of any explosion caused by 'sympathetic detonation' or other factors, including the ability to douse the nitrate stores with sufficient water to prevent a spontaneous explosion; and

(h) any related matters.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The department investigates potential breaches of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and takes compliance action where an action has had, will have or is likely to have a significant impact on national heritage places. The department works cooperatively with the Western Australian government to investigate actions impacting on national heritage places.

Question agreed to.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend business of the Senate notice of motion No. 2, standing in my name for today, proposing a reference for the Environment and Communications References Committee relating to shark mitigation and deterrent measures.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the following matters be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 June 2017:

The efficacy and regulation of shark mitigation and deterrent measures, with particular reference to:

(a) research into shark numbers, behaviour and habitat;

(b) the regulation of mitigation and deterrent measures under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, including exemptions from a controlled action under section 158;

(c) the range of mitigation and deterrent measures currently in use;

(d) emerging mitigation and deterrent measures;

(e) bycatch from mitigation and deterrent measures;

(f) alternatives to currently employed mitigation and deterrent measures, including education;

(g) the impact of shark attacks on tourism and related industries; and

(h) any other relevant matters.

Question agreed to.