REPORT ON EPA COMPETENCE, RESIDENT SAFETY PEOPLE who have lived with the potential threat to human health posed by large industry in Botany Bay have finally been given a voice. The Caltex refinery at Banksmeadow. Reports about houses being built too close to major industry and the risk of fatalities if there was a “catastrophic” incident have fallen on deaf ears for more than 30 years. The State Government now says it is listening and has actioned an upper house inquiry, launched last week, into how the Environment Protection Authority has dealt with ongoing concerns by residents. THE toxic legacy of Botany Bay’s transformation from industrial heart to residential hub is being played out in the NSW Upper House. Residents who have had their groundwater polluted by one of the world’s most deadly pollutants, who still live with the world’s largest stockpile of a waste so dangerous experts say it poses a catastrophic risk to human health on their doorsteps, finally have a voice in NSW Parliament. Whether it is the threat of contaminated drinking water or tests on playground soils, gas flames lighting up the night sky or the “bumps and beeps” ringing out through the night – the people of Botany Bay and surrounds have been slugged with over the head with the impacts of the industrial legacy that still lives on. Concerns about houses being built too close to major industry were echoed in a 1983 report to the state government that recommended buying back houses in Denison St, on the eastern border of the Botany Industrial Park, because of the risk of fatalities in the event of a major incident was so high. The area came close to realising this “catastrophic event” in July last year when more than 130,000 litres of highly volatile unleaded fuel gushed after a valve malfunction. Maroubra Station officer Maxwell Metzker said “the tiniest spark could have set off a devastating explosion, flattening the immediate area and shutting down fuel lines to Port Botany and Sydney Airport”. The fears that the Botany have been left without adequate government protection form part of a parliamentary inquiry into the performance of NSW’s Environment Protection Authority, particularly over the contamination concerns in the Botany Bay area. The review has been prompted by a resident concern over the Orica chemical plant and a proposal for a Bunnings store on Denison St – a dangerous-goods route and the subject of the 1983 report. The Bunnings site , which has been rezoned, is before the joint regional planning panel. Hywel Lewis-Jones, Ross Salter and Steve Haigh from the Hillsdale and Eastgardens Resident Action Group spoke at the hearing last Monday, expressing concerns the EPA had failed to address the human risk. Mr Haigh said a primary concern to residents was the transport risk on Denison St, Botany. Mr Haigh said these risks should have been fully identified by the EPA. Mr Lewis-Jones said there was an added health risk with the transportation of harmful goods. “It is clear for us, because of the issue of the dangerous goods and things like chlorine, that the EPA needs to have in that as well,’’ he said. Mr Salter, who owns the Kingsford Timber Mitre 10, told the hearing the EPA failed to communicate with the community on issues such as contamination and long-term emissions. He said there were significant “health” risks for residents along the major transport corridors. “The risk is the transportation of these dangerous goods,” he said. A spokesman for the EPA said the authority was supportive of the inquiry, which would demonstrate its role in protecting the environment. “The EPA welcomes the inquiry and the opportunity to increase public awareness and understanding of the important role it plays in protecting communities the environment of NSW,” the spokesman said. In January last year, Botany Bay Council pushed for off-site mercury testing at the Orica site at Hillsdale. “Botany Bay has always been a strong advocate for the health of our residents and our local environment.”
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 06:49:16 +0000
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