Quinns Quarry Neerabup

On 28 July 2022, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) advised DWER of a fire in a large waste stockpile at the premises and requested DWER attend to undertake air monitoring for public health protection.  

DWER’s monitoring in residential areas did not detect toxic gases from the fire above adopted health guideline levels. Very high levels of smoke particles were detected in residential locations, during a number of monitoring events, while the fire was burning. Field air monitoring results were provided to DFES as the responsible agency for providing advice on protective measures for the community during the incident.  

The periodic poor air quality in residential areas during the fire may have caused some acute impacts to residents and DWER encourages anyone concerned about their health to call Health Direct or see their doctor.   

To understand any broader impacts of the fire, DWER has reviewed data from a number of its fixed air quality monitors in the northern suburbs. The closest monitor to Neerabup is located at the Quinns Rocks Sports Club at 17 Tapping Way, Quinns Rocks. Since the fire started on 28 July 2022, the Quinns Rocks monitor measured slightly elevated particle levels compared to other monitors although there were no exceedances of the 24-hour National Environmental Protection (Ambient Air Quality) standards for particles [particle matter less than 10 micrometres in diameter (PM10) and less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter (PM2.5)]. The measurements indicate that the impacts of the fire were localised.  

DFES has now extinguished the fire. DFES has also investigated the cause of the fire; however, as with the previous two fires at the site, the cause was unable to be determined.     

DWER has regulatory responsibility for the waste activities at the facility and is currently taking action as set out below: 

• Investigating the activities taking place on the site to determine whether the operator is compliant with the requirements of the licence.   Any breaches of licence conditions will be managed in accordance with the department’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy.  

• Investigating whether any specific activity may have caused an increased risk of fire at the site and whether our regulatory approach could be approved to better manage waste stockpiles.  

Separately, the department has received a licence amendment application from the Licence Holder. This application seeks to allow a wider range and quantity of waste to be accepted and processed at the premises. The application has not yet been accepted for assessment by DWER as it is incomplete. Should sufficient additional information be provided by the Licence Holder and the application be accepted, it will be advertised for public comment on DWER’s website at Assessments for public comment.   

DWER conducts all licence application assessments in accordance with its Regulatory Framework and follows a risk-based approach to determining the outcome of applications.  

This page will be updated as new information comes to hand. If you have any questions related to this premises, please email info@dwer.wa.gov.au and quote L7038/1997/13. 

DWER has a role to monitor compliance through undertaking inspections, reviews and audits, and through receiving complaints, community reports and information from other regulatory authorities. If offences are committed, it takes action in accordance with its Compliance and Enforcement Policy.  

Complaints can be made to DWER’s 24-hour Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 or you can submit a report online.