Page 57 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 10 February 2015

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MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.

MR WALL: Minister, what communication has been undertaken with residents to reassure them over health concerns and advise them of short-term plans to mitigate the smell?

MR RATTENBURY: Madam Speaker, I am responsible for that part of Mr Wall’s question, I believe, as the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services. TAMS did undertake a range of communication to advise residents that work was being undertaken to modify the Mugga Lane landfill. That announcement was made on 12 December. The works were undertaken. Unfortunately, there was some delay due to wet weather, but the works have now been completed—on 6 February. The advice I have is that the odour may remain apparent for several days after the completion of works, as the last of the exposed waste is covered with soil. These were one-off works. TAMS certainly regrets the inconvenience that has occurred for residents in the area. My advice is that the odours have been intermittent and have depended to an extent on where people live and what the prevailing winds have been, as well as the work that is being undertaken on a particular day.

Health—bush healing farm

MR COE: My question is to the Minister for Health. Minister, when was the government first advised of the presence of asbestos at the Ngunnawal bush healing farm at Miowera?

MR CORBELL: I thank Mr Coe for the question. There have been a number of instances of the presence of asbestos being known at the bush healing farm site. Mr Coe would need to be a bit more specific as to which instances of asbestos contamination he is referring to.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.

MR COE: Minister, since acquiring the land or investigation prior to purchase, what asbestos specialist firms have been commissioned to undertake research on the extent of the contamination?

MR CORBELL: The government has commissioned appropriately qualified auditors with experience in the management of bonded asbestos waste to advise it and to meet the obligations of the development approval granted for the redevelopment for the bush healing farm site.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Hanson.

MR HANSON: Minister, what reports have these firms provided to the government? What are the recommendations? Have they been implemented?

MR CORBELL: The relevant professionals have provided reports to the government on the nature of the bonded asbestos waste and appropriate steps to manage it. All of those recommended actions have been implemented.


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