❓ A parliamentary question regarding the approval of the Great Southern Landfill, focusing on environmental risks, community concerns, and compliance. The Minister's response addresses these points, affirming the decision and outlining monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

I refer to the Great Southern Landfill at Allawuna Farm and I ask:(a) Did the Minister consider groundwater pollution risks in the final approval decision:(i) What scientific data was relied upon to assess those risks;(b) Did the Minister consider road safety implications from increased truck movements:(i) What scientific data was relied upon to assess those risks;(c) What conditions were imposed in the Ministerial Statement;(d) What are the enforcement mechanisms for those conditions;(e) How often will compliance be audited;(f) Will audit reports be publicly released;(g) Who will monitor environmental compliance;(h) What penalties apply for non-compliance;(i) Was community feedback included in setting conditions;(j) Does the Minister stand by the decision given the level of community opposition;(k) Will the Minister commit to reporting annually on landfill impacts; and(l) Will the Minister agree to personally address the York community in York about this approval?

(a)   Yes. (i) The following studies and peer review were used to inform the groundwater pollution   risks: (b)  Yes. (i)   A transport impact statement assessed traffic volumes, roads and crash history. (c)   Conditions imposed are outlined on Ministerial Statement 1261 and published on the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA’s) website. (d)  The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) undertakes compliance and enforcement activities in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and its Compliance and Enforcement Policy, that can be found on the Departments website. (e)   As often as necessary as part of the Departments Annual Compliance Program. (f)   Audit Reports are not published on DWER’s website. (g)  DWER undertakes compliance and enforcement activities in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and its Compliance and Enforcement Policy, that can be found on the Department’s website. (h)  Penalties for non-compliance with a Ministerial Statement attract fines of up to $250,000 for corporations or up to $1 million for unauthorised implementations, with the option for additional daily penalties to be imposed. (i)    Yes, the matters raised by the community in appeals against the EPA’s report and recommendations were considered when determining the proposal’s implementation conditions. (j)    Yes. (k)  Ministerial Statement 1261 requires the proponent to make environmental and implementation data and reports publicly available. (l)    As Minister for the Environment, I am required to make many decisions that impact upon communities. I rely on the extensive community consultation process undertaken by the EPA, the Department and the Office of the Appeals Convenor. I do not usually address communities in person following my decisions and I do not intent to do so in relation to this matter.