Environment
Why a buffer zone?
Climate Change Conference (COP26)
Industrial Process Water Overview
Managed Aquifer Recharge
Marine (Cockburn Sound)
Air
- Overview
- Regulation and Monitoring
- DWER monitors
- Links to results
- KIC’s Air Quality Monitoring
- Links to results
- Studies
- Kwinana Airshed Studies
- Perth Air Quality Coordinating Committee (PAQCC)
Noise
- Overview
- Model report link
Groundwater Plumes
Risk Management (Societal)
Air
Development of industry in Kwinana combined with growing industry and community awareness resulted in regional air quality becoming an issue of community interest from the 1980s onwards.
As the regional population increased in the area, a Kwinana air quality buffer zone was created and formalised by the 1992 Kwinana Environmental Protection Policy. The buffer assists industry and the State Government to manage industrial emissions so as to maintain a healthy level of air quality for employees and surrounding communities.
With the number of people living in the region continuing to grow, it has become even more important that air quality is of the highest standard, and for the buffer zone between industry and residential occupation to be preserved.
In addition to industrial sources of air emissions, there are larger sources of air contaminants from non-industrial emissions such as motor vehicles and domestic wood fires. It is therefore important that Government, industry and the community work together to continue monitoring air quality in WA.
KIC’s ultimate goal is to have the requirement for monitoring of SO2 removed from the very important EPP.
Regulation and Monitoring
In particular, SO2 levels have reduced considerably over the last decade. Some members have sought to have their environmental licences amended to reflect reduced emission profiles, however the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has advised that a redetermination of the maximum permissible quantities of sulphur dioxide under the Environmental Protection (Kwinana) (Atmospheric Wastes) Policy (EPP) 1999 is required before this can be progressed. This review is well progressed with resolution expected FY20. More broadly, KIC’s ultimate goal is to have the requirement for monitoring of SO2 removed from the very important EPP, because it is no longer a relevant emission due to its very low levels, and because it is measured at source where it is emitted.
Air Quality Monitoring Results
KIC’s Air Quality Monitoring
The issue of air quality monitoring is one of the most important faced by the Kwinana Industries Council (KIC) and is one of the factors that led to the Council’s formation.
With the number of people living in the region continuing to grow, it has become even more important that air quality is of the highest standard and for the buffer zone between industry and residential occupation to be preserved.
In addition to industrial sources of air emissions, there are larger sources of air contaminants from nonindustrial emissions such as motor vehicles and domestic wood fires. It is therefore important that Government, industry and the community work together to continue monitoring air quality in WA to better understand sources and their contents.
The quality of Kwinana’s air has improved considerably over the years and industry has a continuing commitment to lessen its environmental impact.
It is KIC members’ policy that air quality monitoring should be of the highest standard possible and that the community should be consulted when monitoring programs are being designed.
Industries in the Kwinana Industrial Area have a consistent track record of being below regulatory limits on air emissions.
KIC Air Brochure
Air Quality Monitoring Results
Studies
Kwinana Airshed Studies
The KIC Environment Committee oversaw KIC’s involvement in the Phase 4 DEC Kwinana Airshed Study through its participation on the Study Advisory Group (KASAG). An interim report was published and the findings presented at the Communities & Industries Forum in April 2012. Further test work is planned to complete the study. Equipment previously located in Midland will be relocated to the Kwinana area and used to monitor ammonia and volatile organic compounds (of particular relevance to KIC members).
The State Department of Health published its final report into the respiratory health of local primary school children. The Committee oversaw KIC’s involvement in this study. The outcomes of the study were presented at the Communities and Industries Forum and communication leaflets were provided to parents of the children who participated in the study. The study indicates no significant difference between children in the Kwinana area, with areas elsewhere in Perth and interstate. A follow up study was recommended to investigate a slightly higher incidence of wheeze in children who lived in Kwinana in their early years. If this study is implemented, the committee will again oversee the KIC involvement.
Kwinana Airshed Studies
Perth Air Quality Coordinating Committee (PAQCC)
The PAQCC is a committee of community and industry representatives appointed by the Minister for the Environment. They join with a number of public servants on the Committee to maintain a watchful overview of Perth’s air quality. The Committee makes recommendations to the Minister in respect to, for example, research it believes needs to be carried out. The primary role of the Committee is to prepare for the Minister, the Perth Air Quality Management Plan.
Contact Us
PO Box 649
Kwinana WA 6966
Tel: (08) 9419 1855
Email: admin@kic.org.au
Contact Us
PO Box 649
Kwinana WA 6966
Tel: (08) 9419 1855
Email: admin@kic.org.au
Acknowledgement of Country
Kwinana Industries Council acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country, the Nyoongar people and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.