2017-01-19
The Greens have called for an immediate stoppage of clearing in Coolbellup and say reports of deadly asbestos fibres more than a month ago should have been taken more seriously.
"Results commissioned by Coolbellup Concerned Residents confirm concerning levels of surface and buried asbestos across the works area," South Metropolitan Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren said.
"Meanwhile this dust is being blown from the land being cleared past unprotected workers and police towards nearby homes.
"Safety authorities were contacted in mid-December about these concerns. My office contacted WorkSafe to inquire about the progress of a Tait Place resident’s complaint around 14 December.
“We were concerned then and we remain worried about the unprotected workers, police officers and the occupants of homes.
"It should not take the community resorting to ordering their own tests for this serious public health risk to be addressed.
"The Greens repeat calls for authorities to order a stop-work, assess the site properly and put in place an agreed removal process, as per the government guidelines for asbestos-contaminated sites.
“This build-it-regardless approach reveals a great lack of concern for human health, our community and precious places.”
Related campaign: Stop Roe 8 - Save Beeliar Wetlands