Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) representatives will answer questions related to its five-year Port Hedland Dust Program – developed to implement the Government’s response to the recommendations of the 2016 Port Hedland Dust Taskforce Report.
The program will see DWER take control of the town’s air monitoring network from industry and develop new guidelines to ensure Port Hedland’s bulk handling operators achieve best practice.
DWER Director General Mike Rowe said this would be the first time the State Government would take direct oversight of an industry-funded air monitoring network.
“We are taking a whole-of-government approach to Port Hedland dust management through this five-year program, which aims to decrease community dust issues without jeopardising the industries underpinning the Pilbara’s prosperity,” Mr Rowe said.
“By combining a review of the town’s air monitoring network, with changes to the government’s regulatory approach with bulk handling operators, I am confident this program will help us better understand and resolve Port Hedland dust issues.
“As the community would be aware, the State Government has appointed Ross Love to lead consultation on a proposed voluntary buy-back scheme for West End residents. DWER’s consultation is separate to the buy-back process. DWER remains committed to continuing to assessing and managing risk for those community members that decide to stay in the West End.
“I encourage all interested community members to register and attend the meeting, or complete the online survey on the DWER website. We will continue to engage with the community throughout the program.
The public forum will be held:
- Date: 21 November 2019
- Venue: Colin Matheson Pavilion, Port Hedland
- Time: 20-minute sessions are available between 3.30pm and 6.30pm (Prebooking is required)
RSVP for the ‘small group’ community sessions via the online survey, which is open until 13 December, and can be found at https://www.wa.gov.au/service/environment/environmental-impact-assessment/water-and-environmental-regulation-public-consultation.
