Henderson Waste Recovery Park- Bird Deaths

henderson waste recovery park — bird deaths

662. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for Environment:

I refer to the recent death of 160 birds—including ibis, silver gulls, ravens, ducks and a pelican—at the Henderson Waste Recovery Park caused by illegal dumping of the pesticide fenthion.

(1) Has the Department of Environment and Conservation determined what loads were taken to the tip on Friday, 29 May 2009 when the birds began to die—as The Sunday Times of Sunday, 31 May 2009 reported was being investigated?

(2) If yes to (1), will the minister table the department’s investigation report and outcomes?

(3) If no to (1), when will this investigation be finalised?

(4) Has the department determined who holds fenthion licences, which The Sunday Times article also reported was being investigated?

(5) Given that no Western Australian landfill site is currently allowed to receive liquid waste, would the minister explain the process by which loads are currently being logged and processed at the site?

(6) Is it current practice to use the pesticide fenthion for bird management control at landfill sites in Western Australia?

(7) Do the City of Cockburn or Henderson tip management currently have a licence for the use of the pesticide fenthion?

(8) What action will the DEC take now to prevent further bird kills from fenthion contamination at Henderson landfill?

Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied:

I thank the member for some notice of this question.

(1) Yes.

(2) No. The investigation by the Department of Environment and Conservation is still underway.

(3) The investigation is expected to be completed within three months.

(4) Under the Health Act 1911, licences are not required for pesticides that contain fenthion.

(5) The Henderson landfill is licensed under categories 63 and 64 of schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987, and is not licensed to accept liquid waste. Waste arrives in trucks, many of which are sealed compactor trucks, and details of each truck, its company, the type of waste and origin are logged by the landfill operator. The trucks then deposit waste on the tipping face, where it is covered with sand.

(6) No.

(7) No. See the answer to (4).

(8) The DEC will determine the appropriate action to be taken after it has completed its investigation.