Environment

Greens offer to champion local council plastics bans through Parliament

Friday, 20th July 2018

The Greens (WA) have signalled that the party will attempt to shepherd local government reforms on use of plastics through the Parliament, in a move they hope will encourage other councils to follow the lead of Cottesloe, Fremantle and Bassendean among others.

Waste spokesperson Robin Chapple said that while he was disappointed that Labor has decided to vote against his Bill to ban single use plastics, he hoped that they would back up their comments regarding leadership at a local level and support councils that wished to ban plastics.

“It’s great to see councils wanting to take the lead on plastic reduction, and I will do my utmost in Parliament to protect their right to have local laws limiting the use of single use plastics.

“This is my message to local councillors: we will back you up in Parliament. When the Government fails to back widespread reform, locals have to make change for themselves and we will back you every step of the way.

“The Greens have a bill in parliament, right now, that would ban these unnecessary single use plastics.

“What the government needs to do is support this bill, we want to work with them to get it passed through the parliament because it gets rid of single use plastics.

“The Greens bill removes plastics, encouraging reusable alternatives to enter the market, providing more choice and more options for everyday people.

“There has been sustained pressure from the community, who have largely picked up the slack as far as waste reduction goes, taking it upon themselves when it should be the government that removes single use plastics.

“The amount of plastic in the ocean, in the bush, in the waterways and on our streets is shocking, we simply cannot keep going like this.

“By some reports, the volume of plastic in the ocean will outweigh all sea life by 2050. That should send shivers down the spines of everyone. The effect that plastic has on our environment is horrific, and so senseless when there are clear alternatives available.

“We are calling on the Government to support The Greens bill to ban single use plastics. It’s ready to go, right now.”

Media Contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490

Senate report into waste catches McGowan unprepared: Greens

Wednesday, 27 June 2018

Greens WA Waste spokesperson Robin Chapple MLC said that a Senate report released on Tuesday night into Australia’s waste crisis is a wakeup call to the McGowan Government, and that the Government now needs to come on board with The Greens’ bill to ban single use plastics in WA.

The Greens-chaired Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications Inquiry into waste and recycling released a long awaited report entitled, “Never waste a crisis: the waste and recycling industry in Australia,” on Tuesday night, all parties agreeing with the recommendations.

 Mr Chapple said that the release of this report coupled with the cross party consensus removes any reason for the McGowan Government to hold out on waste reform in WA.

“This report is ground breaking, it contains recommendations that could seriously improve and reform the way that we manage waste in WA.

“This report is clear: we must phase out single-use plastics, not just bags but coffee cups, containers, microbeads and the like.

“The Greens’ Bill to ban single use plastics is in the Upper House right now, it’s being debated tomorrow and I genuinely hope that the Labor party, the Liberals and the crossbench will come on board and show the kind of leadership that their federal counterparts have been open to.

“Last night we saw the WA Government release the plastic bag regulations, in which barrier bags – plastic bags without handles for fruit and the like – are exempt from the ban. The McGowan Government clearly isn’t listening and is taking the path of least resistance at a time when people are looking for genuine change.

“One of the most exciting recommendations is the call to establish a circular economy, in which materials are used, collected, recovered and re-used within Australia. This is what we need to move towards so that we can finally put an end to the senseless waste that has pervaded our country and the world for far too long.

“This is our message to the McGowan Government: the findings are clear, get on board with our Bill and let’s get this done for the sake of WAs, and the world’s environment.”

---ENDS---

Media Contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490

 

Recommendations

Recommendation 1

The committee recommends that the Australian Government prioritise the establishment of a circular economy in which materials are used, collected, recovered, and re-used, including within Australia.

Recommendation 2

The committee recommends that the Australian Government shows leadership through the urgent implementation of the 16 strategies established under the National Waste Policy.

Recommendation 3

The committee recommends that the Australian Government prioritise waste reduction and recycling above waste-to-energy, and seek a commitment through the Meeting of Environment Minsters of all levels of government to the waste hierarchy.

Recommendation 4

That the Commonwealth and State Government agree to a phase out of petroleum-based single-use plastics by 2023. The scope of this commitment would require careful consideration and should be developed through the Meeting of Environment Ministers.

Recommendation 5

That the government establish a Plastics Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) to lead Australia’s research efforts into reducing plastic waste, cleaning up our oceans and finding end-markets for recovered plastic.

Recommendation 6

That the government commit to implementing the recommendations of the Senate References Committee Inquiry into the threat of marine plastic pollution in Australia, particularly in light of the need to improve plastic resource recovery.

Recommendation 7

The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with state and local governments to assist recyclers to increase the diversion of material from landfill; improve the quality of materials recovered through collection programs; improve the sorting of materials at recycling facilities; and assist manufacturers to increase the amount of recycled material used in production.

Recommendation 8

The committee recommends the Australian Government set mandatory targets for all government departments in relation to the recycled content of materials bought directly or provided by private contractors.

The committee recommends that state and local governments also pursue sustainable procurement policies to ensure strong domestic markets for recycled material.

Recommendation 9

The committee recommends that the Australian Government implement the 65 agreed improvements to the National Waste Report, and the data collection and analysis practices, as established by Blue Environment's Improving national waste data and reporting report.

Further, the committee recommends that the National Waste Report be published at least biennially.

Recommendation 10

The committee recommends that the Australian Government support state and territory, and local governments in ensuring effective education programs are available to assist the public in understanding how best to undertake recycling.

Recommendation 11

The committee recommends that the Australian Government implement a national container deposit scheme.

Recommendation 12

The committee recommends that product stewardship schemes established under the Product Stewardship Act 2011 be mandatory schemes.

Recommendation 13

The committee recommends that mandatory product stewardship schemes be established for tyres, mattresses, e-waste, and photovoltaic panels.

Recommendation 14

The committee recommends that the Australian Government extend producer responsibility under product stewardship schemes to ensure better environmental and social outcomes through improved design.

Recommendation 15

The committee recommends that the Product Stewardship Advisory Committee be re-established and that they be tasked with recommending products for listing under the Product Stewardship Act.

Recommendation 16

The committee recommends that the Australian Government assist state and territory governments to ensure that landfill levies in proximate jurisdictions are such that there is a no incentive to transport waste for levy avoidance purposes.

Recommendation 17

The committee recommends that the Australian Government support state and territory governments fully hypothecating landfill levies towards measures that reduce the creation of consumption and waste, and that increase the recycling of waste materials.

Recommendation 18

The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with state and territory governments to ensure the implementation of harmonised, best-practice landfill standards.

 

 

Taxpayers cop fracking costs in Pilbara

Monday 18 June 2018

Seismic surveys in a remote area of the Pilbara announced today by the Mines and Petroleum Minister are effectively a subsidy for fracking companies, Mining and Pastoral MLC Robin Chapple says.

“Once again the Minister is undermining the moratorium on fracking in WA, this time by spending taxpayers’ money on survey work designed to help oil and gas companies,” Mr Chapple said.

“The Minister is making it look as if the McGowan Government has already made up its mind about fracking and will open up the Kimberley and possibly the Pilbara to invasive gasfields such as those we have seen in Queensland and the US.

“Governments and states across the world have banned fracking and the ALP agreed to ban fracking in the Southwest, Peel and Perth because of the risks to tourism, horticulture and amenity.

“Just because there are fewer people in the Kimberley and Pilbara, it doesn’t mean the country is ‘empty’ and can be sacrificed.

“The opposite is true: Traditional Owners are on country all the time carrying out cultural practices and getting traditional foods.

“The Labor Party promised veto rights for Traditional Owners at the election but we haven’t heard anything more: instead, we have heard a lot from the Minister about promoting and subsidising fracking companies.”

Media Contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490

Mining companies should pay a bond for site rehabilitation: Chapple

Tuesday, 12th June 2018

Mining and Pastoral MP Robin Chapple has today called for the reintroduction of a bond system for miners, to replace the ineffective Mining Rehabilitation Fund in the wake of concerns taxpayers could cop a $529 million clean-up bill for a Pilbara mine.

A Senate inquiry revealed that WA mining executives could provide no examples of a mine rehabilitated to ‘high quality’ despite there being 11,411 abandoned mine sites and 192,523 mining ‘features’ across WA as of 2014.

Mr Chapple said that with the potential for Citic Pacific to abandon the Cape Preston mine it is clear that the Mining Rehabilitation Fund was not working, and that a stricter bond system would be more effective for ensuring mining companies pay to rehabilitate the areas they damage.

“We need to change the legislation here in WA to reintroduce the bond system, to make sure mining companies ae not able to trash the joint and then disappear into the sunset when business goes South.

“If you are renting a house and cause clear damage, in most cases you have to sacrifice your bond. Why shouldn’t this be the case for mining companies?

“Responsible mining has its place, we do need these minerals, but we need to make mining companies clean up after themselves.

“The Mining Rehabilitation Fund has a cap of $500,000 in liability estimates, and these are self-assessed by the company in most cases rather than the Department. We should make miners cover the full cost of rehabilitation and we need the Department to be the ones assessing it, not the company itself.

“WA has nearly 200,000 abandoned mining features including shafts, at best they’re eyesores, at worst they are dangerous. You only have to look at Wittenoom to see that in action.

“Let’s stop mining companies from being able to chuck a runner and make sure we’re looking after the land.”

Media Contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490

Greens urge McGowan to back plastic ban bill

Tuesday, 12th June 2018

The Greens have urged the Government to support a bill to ban single use plastics that is currently before the parliament in the wake of comments by the Premier in which he indicated that further restrictions on plastic products were on the way.

The Premier this morning replied to a question regarding banning straws, saying, “Yes… we are considering a lot more than that ... disposable plastic is shocking and I think the entire world needs to move towards getting rid of it.”

The Greens (WA) waste spokesperson Robin Chapple MLC said that the Premier’s comments are welcome and it’s good to see that he is finally moving towards banning more single-use plastics.

“The Premier said that disposable plastic is shocking and I couldn’t agree more.

“The Greens have a bill in parliament, right now, that would ban these unnecessary single use plastics.

“What the government needs to do is support this bill, we want to work with them to get it passed through the parliament because it gets rid of single use plastics.

“The Greens bill removes plastics, encouraging reusable alternatives to enter the market, providing more choice and more options for everyday people.

“There has been sustained pressure from the community, who have largely picked up the slack as far as waste reduction goes, taking it upon themselves when it should be the government that removes single use plastics.

“The amount of plastic in the ocean, in the bush, in the waterways and on our streets is shocking, we simply cannot keep going like this.

“By some reports, the volume of plastic in the ocean will outweigh all sea life by 2050. That should send shivers down the spines of everyone. The effect that plastic has on our environment is horrific, and so senseless when there are clear alternatives available.

“We are calling on the Government to support The Greens bill to ban single use plastics. It’s ready to go, right now.”

Media Contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490

 

Greens back moves to protect the Fitzroy

The Greens (WA) have reiterated their longstanding opposition to damming the Kimberley's Fitzroy River and backed calls to fix existing barriers to threatened sawfish migrating up the river.

"The Fitzroy, which drains a vast area of the Kimberley, is considered the most important nursery for critically endangered freshwater sawfish, which migrate up to 400 km inland as young," Greens Mining and Pastoral MLC Robin Chapple said.

"Apparently this means little to pastoralist Gina Rineheart, who reportedly told an American Chamber of Commerce dinner recently that 99 per cent of the river's water is 'wasted'.

"The Greens have staunchly opposed moves to dam the Fitzroy for the past 15 years and we welcome the McGowan Government’s resistance to moves to dam it for large-scale irrigation this time.

"We also support calls by scientists to for fishways to be built on Camballin Barrage and urgent implementation of a catchment management plan for the Fitzroy in collaboration with Traditional Owners.

"To say that the Fitzroy's water is 'wasted' when it goes out to sea reveals a low level of knowledge about the region.

"Any alteration to freshwater outfall has a corollary effect downstream – for example, on fish stocks and small fry prawn populations in King Sound." 

WA must follow European Union’s lead and pass The Green’s plastic ban bill

Tuesday, 29th May 2018

In the wake of news that the European Union has proposed a ban on plastics, The Greens (WA) are calling for the WA Government to back a bill currently before parliament to ban single use plastics.

The Environmental Protection Amendment (Banning Plastic Bags and Other Things) Bill 2017, introduced by Greens WA waste spokesperson Robin Chapple would place a ban on single use plastics with appropriate exemptions regarding medicine and access issues.

Mr Chapple said that the Government should follow the lead of the European Union and support The Greens’ bill, citing the incredible impact plastic is having on the environment, ocean and waterways of WA.

“The European Union are going full steam ahead to ban plastics because they recognise just how harmful and unnecessary this waste is,” Mr Chapple said today.

“Meanwhile in WA we have a bill before parliament right now that all parties could come together to pass that would help address this urgent crisis.

“The Greens are calling on the Government to pass this bill, and follow the lead of governments across the world that are taking measures to avert the growing catastrophe that is plastic pollution.

“We know that by 2050 the volume of plastic in the ocean will be greater than the volume of sea life, which is a heartbreaking and catastrophic outcome.

“None of the products my Bill seeks to ban exhibit product stewardship, they exist purely for a few minutes convenience and will ultimately end up as landfill, litter or food for marine life.

“Removing single use plastics from the supply chain will create choice by opening up a market for reusable materials and cleaner, more sustainable options.

“There has been a clear groundswell of community action, with individuals, community groups and businesses taking carriage of waste reduction.

“The time to take action was years ago, so we have no time to lose when it comes to reducing waste.”

Media contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490

New breach by Gorgon pollution conditions revealed – Greens

Wednesday 9th May 2018

Questions by The Greens (WA) in Parliament have confirmed a major breach by the Gorgon Gas Project of its environmental conditions, claimed just last month by the Premier to be ‘the tightest regulations in the world’.

“The Environment Minister has confirmed that in addition to completely failing its promise to inject all, or at least 80 per cent over a five-year average, of its reservoir CO2 emissions from gas processing underground, Chevron is further failing to offset these emissions by other means,” the Greens WA Environment spokesperson Robin Chapple said.

“This is in direct breach of conditions of ministerial approval for the project, which require that should carbon dioxide injection fall significantly below the target level, the Gorgon proponent must find other means to offset the emissions.

“The Minister confirmed that since gas processing began on Barrow Island more than two years ago, not one tonne of reservoir CO2 removed in gas processing has been injected underground. Industry members are not expecting improvement on this any time soon.

“The Minister further revealed that the Government doesn’t know how much reservoir CO2 Gorgon is instead venting directly to the atmosphere. Yet Gorgon’s own estimate in its 2015 greenhouse gas abatement program was that it would be between 5.5 and 7.8 million tonnes of CO2 a year for Gorgon’s first two year of operation – equivalent to total emissions of several coalfired power stations.

“The Barnett Government, aided by the Federal Liberals helped create the mess but the ALP has been in power over a year and it is time they enacted clear promises made in their 2017 election platform document to tighten up reporting, transparency and regulation of greenhouse gas emissions by WA’s worst polluters.

“Gorgon, largely owned by Chevron, ExxonMobil and Shell, is easily WA’s biggest polluter and despite the Premier’s fanciful statement, the strongest contender for the least regulated.

“The Greens ask the McGowan Government to simply enforce the environmental conditions that even a former Liberal State Government considered appropriate to impose on Gorgon in 2009 – that is, for Chevron to offset the emissions that it fails to inject underground.”

  • Ministerial Statement No 800, Condition 26.2, requires the Gorgon partners to ensure that an average of at least 80 per cent of CO2 extracted from gas reservoirs over any five-year period is injected underground.
  • Should injection fail to occur (as has been the case since operations began in March 2016) Schedule 3 requires: “the Proponent shall report on: a) measures that could be implemented that would ensure that target level set in Condition 26.2 is met or, if injection is not considered feasible for all or some of the gas, measures to otherwise offset; and b) which if any of these measures the Proponent intends to implement”.
  • Refer: http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/Ministerial_Statement/00800.pdf

Media contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490

 

Cockburn Cement emissions kept secret

Tuesday, 24th April 2018

Data on emissions from the coal-powered Cockburn Cement facility in Munster have been kept a secret from the public despite persistent community backlash by residents against unacceptable pollution.

The Clean Energy Regulator, which collects and publishes data on facility level emissions, is unable to make public the details of the Cockburn Cement facility as the National Energy and Greenhouse Reporting Act 2007 allows for polluters to apply for commercially sensitive information to be withheld from the public. The WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is also prevented from releasing the results of investigations for the same reason.

In response to questions asked by The Greens (WA) Environment spokesperson Robin Chapple in parliament, the Government has acknowledged pollution from Cockburn Cement appears to be damaging resident’s homes, with particulate matter taking on cement-like qualities when coming into contact with water.

Mr Chapple has called on the Minister to force Cockburn Cement to clean up its act in line with community health expectations.

“Local residents have been putting up with absolutely noxious pollution in their community, and instead of opting for transparency and committing to a cleaner way forward, Cockburn Cement has had its emissions data withheld from the public eye,” Mr Chapple said.

“This is the only coal fired facility within metropolitan Perth, so strict regulations need to be put in place to protect local residents from the huge public health risks associated with coal.

“The Greens are backing the intent of local resident Gregory Hocking’s submission, because public health and environmental concerns are paramount to any continuation of the Cockburn Cement facility.

“Of particular concern is that numerous complaints have been made to the department about health risks and contamination, with very little action taken to protect residents.

Media Contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490

Greens lock horns with McGowan over Burrup ‘betrayal’

Friday, 20th April 2018

The Greens (WA) have slammed the Premier over the Labor Government’s decision to allow two new industrial projects on the Burrup Peninsula.

The Burrup, which is home to the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal rock art dating back 40,000 years, is overseen by the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation which recently started working with the McGowan Government on securing World Heritage Listing through UNESCO for the Burrup Peninsula and Archipelago.

“This is a deceitful government, who have led traditional owners on while simultaneously working with big business to trash any chance of achieving World Heritage for this site,” said The Greens (WA) spokesperson for Aboriginal Affairs Robin Chapple MLC.

“No one saw this coming, because Mark McGowan had previously indicated that he would work with traditional owners. He’s thrown that consultative, evidenced based approach out of the window in return for a quick fix for his mates in industry.

“What this has shown is that you cannot trust Labor. We have multiple reports showing that industry on the Burrup is degrading the rock art, so why on earth is the government seeking two new industrial projects for this sensitive area when the Maitland estate down the road is perfectly suitable?

“Mark McGowan had his fingers crossed behind his back when he started negotiating on World Heritage Listing.

“People can be assured that The Greens will be fighting this every step of the way in the parliament and in the community.

Media Contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490

 

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