OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND? MP DEMANDS ACTION ON TOXIC WASTE
Western Region Victoria MP Bev McArthur today attacked the Andrews Government and state regulator EPA’s failures over the toxic waste dumped in Kaniva, West Wimmera.
Up to 50 million litres of chemical waste has been illegally dumped in the area over a period of years. EPA officials became aware of the issue more than a year before informing locals, despite the potentially devastating threat to their water supply. Residents have also been concerned by speculation that the waste may not ultimately be cleaned up, but rather encased and left permanently on site.
Speaking in Parliament Mrs McArthur asked: “What has the Minister’s regulatory department been doing to allow this issue to escalate to the point where this toxic waste dump is jeopardising the lives and livelihoods of my rural constituents, the waterways and valuable farming land?”
she added: “who in her department, or indeed, her own office will be held accountable for this administrative and regulatory failure, along with the estimated $125m minimum clean up cost, given if as appears likely, the business involved will be unlikely to pick up the bill?”
Mrs McArthur added later:
“It’s extraordinary this situation was allowed to arise in the first place. But it’s even more damning how poorly it has been dealt with since. This site must be cleaned up properly, not on the cheap, and it must be done quickly. As usual, the Andrews Government has shown it is a Melbourne government – West Wimmera is a long way from the city, and a long way from their thoughts. I’m demanding that they take responsibility and resolve the problem now.”
30 October 2019