❓ Hon Wilson Tucker asks about the progress of demolition at Wittenoom, clean-up plans, and cemetery access. The Minister responds that demolition is underway, full remediation is unlikely, access is restricted due to safety, and the cemetery remains undisturbed.
AnsweredQoN 450Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WITTENOOM
450. Hon WILSON TUCKER to the minister representing the
Minister for Lands:
Will the minister please update the
house on the progress of the demolition of the remaining structures at
Wittenoom, including —
(1) what is the expected completion
date;
(2) has the
government reached a position on the clean-up of the surrounding landscape,
including asbestos tailings; and, if not, when can a decision be expected; and
(3) will the
government commit to ensuring that family members with relatives buried in
Wittenoom cemetery will continue to have access after the removal of the
remaining structures?
450. Hon WILSON TUCKER to the minister representing the
Minister for Lands:
Will the minister please update the
house on the progress of the demolition of the remaining structures at
Wittenoom, including —
(1) what is the expected completion
date;
(2) has the
government reached a position on the clean-up of the surrounding landscape,
including asbestos tailings; and, if not, when can a decision be expected; and
(3) will the
government commit to ensuring that family members with relatives buried in
Wittenoom cemetery will continue to have access after the removal of the
remaining structures?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following response is provided on behalf of
the Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Lands.
(1)–(3) Demolition has commenced and is expected to be
completed in 2023. It is unlikely to be technically feasible to
remediate the total area from contamination, and this will be considered by the
Wittenoom Steering Committee. All roads into the former town site and nearby
gorge have been permanently closed to undertake the planned demolition works
within the asbestos-contaminated area. Warning signs have been installed around
the active worksite. There is no visitor access to the area and trespassers may
be subject to prosecution given that the area is an active worksite. The
cemetery remains in situ and undisturbed. However, the Wittenoom asbestos
management area covers more than 46 000 hectares and is the largest
contaminated area in the Southern Hemisphere. There is no safe level of exposure
to asbestos fibres.
some notice of the question. The following response is provided on behalf of
the Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Lands.
(1)–(3) Demolition has commenced and is expected to be
completed in 2023. It is unlikely to be technically feasible to
remediate the total area from contamination, and this will be considered by the
Wittenoom Steering Committee. All roads into the former town site and nearby
gorge have been permanently closed to undertake the planned demolition works
within the asbestos-contaminated area. Warning signs have been installed around
the active worksite. There is no visitor access to the area and trespassers may
be subject to prosecution given that the area is an active worksite. The
cemetery remains in situ and undisturbed. However, the Wittenoom asbestos
management area covers more than 46 000 hectares and is the largest
contaminated area in the Southern Hemisphere. There is no safe level of exposure
to asbestos fibres.
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