Answers to Questions

POINT LOWLY

In reply to the Hon. M. PARNELL (11 May 2010).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide): The Minister for Environment and Conservation has been advised that:

1. All EPA communications to the media regarding the Santos Port Bonython oil leak have been factually correct. The EPA is aware that the oil leak has reached groundwater below the Santos site and has migrated to the foreshore or intertidal area adjacent to the Santos site. No hydrocarbons have been found in the subtidal environment.

A recent survey of the marine environment adjacent to the affected foreshore area, conducted by the EPA, found no evidence of environmental harm in the intertidal or subtidal areas that could be linked to the presence of hydrocarbons.

The EPA holds a number of reports relating to the incident, including outlining the extent of the hydrocarbon contamination, that are available on the Public Register to members of the public.

2. The investigation into whether there have been any breaches of the Environment Protection Act 1993 as a result of this incident is still underway. Santos has been cooperating with the EPA and is trying to find the source of the leak. This is a time consuming process as it involves progressively testing each tank at the site. The investigation also involves the provision of a number of reports from independent experts.

The time required to undertake the investigation will depend upon the information that is discovered during the investigation process. It is therefore not possible to say how long it will take for the investigation to be concluded.