2017-11-20
Shock news on Sunday that the ‘red zone’, officially recognised as affected by PFAS contamination from RAAF Base Williamtown, has been modified re-inforces the urgent need for investigation of buy-back options for local residents.
Local residents were doornocked and told at a meeting, called at very short notice, to confirm that many more properties are now affected.
Robyn Williams, from Port Stephens Greens said, “This news will be the last straw for many residents who have suspected for some time that they may not have been told the full story.
“The straight line boundaries previously drawn for the red zone were obviously arbitrary.”
Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon moved a motion in the Senate in September calling on the government to investigate a property buy-back scheme for residents affected by the contamination.
“We were very disappointed that Labor chose not support the Greens and cross-bench Senators, and also disappointed that Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen called it a ‘stunt’," said Senator Rhiannon.
"Far from being a stunt, we negotiated with Labor, but they wanted to remove the reference to a buy-back. The residents needed a specific objective rather than just another expression of sympathy, but we did try to compromise to get Labor's support.
“We don’t think it is good enough for Labor’s official position to be ‘wait for the Government to respond’ – after 18 months of pain for the local communities we don’t understand why Labor won’t come on board with this modest proposal that would offer the community some prospect of actual remedies,” said Senator Rhiannon.
Port Stephens Greens have so far worked well in partnership with State Labor MP for Port Stephens Kate Washington on the Williamtown issue. Local Greens member Robyn Williams said “This is such an important issue for local residents that it really needs a united front, to pressure the government into action”.
“We urge federal Labor to join us, and their own local State member, in responding to the urgent need of the hundreds of affected families, who can see no end in sight to this environmental disaster," said Robyn Williams.
Media Release General