❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks information about a factory in Thornlie that operated in the early 1960s and its potential contamination from herbicide production, including Agent Orange, and the government's response to the issue.
AnsweredQoN 596Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to a factory in Spring Road (along Jana Road), Thornlie operated by a company called Technical Services Limited in the early 1960s that reportedly emitted foul smelling fumes particularly at night -
(1) Can the Minister confirm whether the factory produced Agent Orange, 245T, 2, 4D or any other herbicide?
(2) If yes, when did the factory cease operating on that site and was the company then assisted financially by the State Government to relocate to Kwinana under the name of Kwinana Chemical Company?
(3) What methods were implemented to remove any contamination from the Thornlie site and its surrounds?
(4) Were any studies carried out in the area following the closure of the factory to determine the impacts of the emissions on surrounding soil, groundwater and the nearby Canning River?
(5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there are any long-term impacts of emissions particularly in relation to groundwater contamination?
(6) If so, are there any indications that there is still evidence of contamination at, or surrounding, the site?
(1) Can the Minister confirm whether the factory produced Agent Orange, 245T, 2, 4D or any other herbicide?
(2) If yes, when did the factory cease operating on that site and was the company then assisted financially by the State Government to relocate to Kwinana under the name of Kwinana Chemical Company?
(3) What methods were implemented to remove any contamination from the Thornlie site and its surrounds?
(4) Were any studies carried out in the area following the closure of the factory to determine the impacts of the emissions on surrounding soil, groundwater and the nearby Canning River?
(5) Has any recent testing been carried out in the area to determine whether there are any long-term impacts of emissions particularly in relation to groundwater contamination?
(6) If so, are there any indications that there is still evidence of contamination at, or surrounding, the site?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 May 2002
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
27 days
The factory closed 42 years ago, prior to the formation of the DEP. Records have been requested by the DEP from the City of Gosnells, Department of Health, Chemistry Centre of WA and Water Authority archives. Information received from the City of Gosnells indicates that 2,4 D was produced by the Technical Supply Company which was located on Part Lots 20 and 21 of Canning Location 18, Yale Road, Thornlie. There is anecdotal evidence of 245T production, but this cannot be confirmed at this time. (2) The City of Gosnells reports that the company started in December 1955 and ceased operating in November 1960, when it relocated to Kwinana. Council files indicate that the then State Government financially assisted the company to relocate to Kwinana. (3) As the DEP did not exist at the time, this matter would have been handled by the Department of Health. Evidence uncovered by the DEP to date indicates that there was onsite contamination, which prevented subdivision of part of the lot until 1972. (4) The Minister has been advised that the City of Gosnells carried out bore water sampling in the late 1970's, which indicated unacceptable levels of chemicals. The Council reports that the Department of Health sampled the bores, and it was advised in the early 1980's that the levels of chemicals detected in all bores sampled were acceptable. However, this information has not been confirmed. (5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
Records have been requested by the DEP from the City of Gosnells, Department of Health, Chemistry Centre of WA and Water Authority archives. Information received from the City of Gosnells indicates that 2,4 D was produced by the Technical Supply Company which was located on Part Lots 20 and 21 of Canning Location 18, Yale Road, Thornlie. There is anecdotal evidence of 245T production, but this cannot be confirmed at this time. (2) The City of Gosnells reports that the company started in December 1955 and ceased operating in November 1960, when it relocated to Kwinana. Council files indicate that the then State Government financially assisted the company to relocate to Kwinana. (3) As the DEP did not exist at the time, this matter would have been handled by the Department of Health. Evidence uncovered by the DEP to date indicates that there was onsite contamination, which prevented subdivision of part of the lot until 1972. (4) The Minister has been advised that the City of Gosnells carried out bore water sampling in the late 1970's, which indicated unacceptable levels of chemicals. The Council reports that the Department of Health sampled the bores, and it was advised in the early 1980's that the levels of chemicals detected in all bores sampled were acceptable. However, this information has not been confirmed. (5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
There is anecdotal evidence of 245T production, but this cannot be confirmed at this time. (2) The City of Gosnells reports that the company started in December 1955 and ceased operating in November 1960, when it relocated to Kwinana. Council files indicate that the then State Government financially assisted the company to relocate to Kwinana. (3) As the DEP did not exist at the time, this matter would have been handled by the Department of Health. Evidence uncovered by the DEP to date indicates that there was onsite contamination, which prevented subdivision of part of the lot until 1972. (4) The Minister has been advised that the City of Gosnells carried out bore water sampling in the late 1970's, which indicated unacceptable levels of chemicals. The Council reports that the Department of Health sampled the bores, and it was advised in the early 1980's that the levels of chemicals detected in all bores sampled were acceptable. However, this information has not been confirmed. (5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
(2) The City of Gosnells reports that the company started in December 1955 and ceased operating in November 1960, when it relocated to Kwinana. Council files indicate that the then State Government financially assisted the company to relocate to Kwinana. (3) As the DEP did not exist at the time, this matter would have been handled by the Department of Health. Evidence uncovered by the DEP to date indicates that there was onsite contamination, which prevented subdivision of part of the lot until 1972. (4) The Minister has been advised that the City of Gosnells carried out bore water sampling in the late 1970's, which indicated unacceptable levels of chemicals. The Council reports that the Department of Health sampled the bores, and it was advised in the early 1980's that the levels of chemicals detected in all bores sampled were acceptable. However, this information has not been confirmed. (5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
(3) As the DEP did not exist at the time, this matter would have been handled by the Department of Health. Evidence uncovered by the DEP to date indicates that there was onsite contamination, which prevented subdivision of part of the lot until 1972. (4) The Minister has been advised that the City of Gosnells carried out bore water sampling in the late 1970's, which indicated unacceptable levels of chemicals. The Council reports that the Department of Health sampled the bores, and it was advised in the early 1980's that the levels of chemicals detected in all bores sampled were acceptable. However, this information has not been confirmed. (5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
(4) The Minister has been advised that the City of Gosnells carried out bore water sampling in the late 1970's, which indicated unacceptable levels of chemicals. The Council reports that the Department of Health sampled the bores, and it was advised in the early 1980's that the levels of chemicals detected in all bores sampled were acceptable. However, this information has not been confirmed. (5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
The Council reports that the Department of Health sampled the bores, and it was advised in the early 1980's that the levels of chemicals detected in all bores sampled were acceptable. However, this information has not been confirmed. (5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
(5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
(6) N/A.
Records have been requested by the DEP from the City of Gosnells, Department of Health, Chemistry Centre of WA and Water Authority archives. Information received from the City of Gosnells indicates that 2,4 D was produced by the Technical Supply Company which was located on Part Lots 20 and 21 of Canning Location 18, Yale Road, Thornlie. There is anecdotal evidence of 245T production, but this cannot be confirmed at this time. (2) The City of Gosnells reports that the company started in December 1955 and ceased operating in November 1960, when it relocated to Kwinana. Council files indicate that the then State Government financially assisted the company to relocate to Kwinana. (3) As the DEP did not exist at the time, this matter would have been handled by the Department of Health. Evidence uncovered by the DEP to date indicates that there was onsite contamination, which prevented subdivision of part of the lot until 1972. (4) The Minister has been advised that the City of Gosnells carried out bore water sampling in the late 1970's, which indicated unacceptable levels of chemicals. The Council reports that the Department of Health sampled the bores, and it was advised in the early 1980's that the levels of chemicals detected in all bores sampled were acceptable. However, this information has not been confirmed. (5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
There is anecdotal evidence of 245T production, but this cannot be confirmed at this time. (2) The City of Gosnells reports that the company started in December 1955 and ceased operating in November 1960, when it relocated to Kwinana. Council files indicate that the then State Government financially assisted the company to relocate to Kwinana. (3) As the DEP did not exist at the time, this matter would have been handled by the Department of Health. Evidence uncovered by the DEP to date indicates that there was onsite contamination, which prevented subdivision of part of the lot until 1972. (4) The Minister has been advised that the City of Gosnells carried out bore water sampling in the late 1970's, which indicated unacceptable levels of chemicals. The Council reports that the Department of Health sampled the bores, and it was advised in the early 1980's that the levels of chemicals detected in all bores sampled were acceptable. However, this information has not been confirmed. (5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
(2) The City of Gosnells reports that the company started in December 1955 and ceased operating in November 1960, when it relocated to Kwinana. Council files indicate that the then State Government financially assisted the company to relocate to Kwinana. (3) As the DEP did not exist at the time, this matter would have been handled by the Department of Health. Evidence uncovered by the DEP to date indicates that there was onsite contamination, which prevented subdivision of part of the lot until 1972. (4) The Minister has been advised that the City of Gosnells carried out bore water sampling in the late 1970's, which indicated unacceptable levels of chemicals. The Council reports that the Department of Health sampled the bores, and it was advised in the early 1980's that the levels of chemicals detected in all bores sampled were acceptable. However, this information has not been confirmed. (5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
(3) As the DEP did not exist at the time, this matter would have been handled by the Department of Health. Evidence uncovered by the DEP to date indicates that there was onsite contamination, which prevented subdivision of part of the lot until 1972. (4) The Minister has been advised that the City of Gosnells carried out bore water sampling in the late 1970's, which indicated unacceptable levels of chemicals. The Council reports that the Department of Health sampled the bores, and it was advised in the early 1980's that the levels of chemicals detected in all bores sampled were acceptable. However, this information has not been confirmed. (5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
(4) The Minister has been advised that the City of Gosnells carried out bore water sampling in the late 1970's, which indicated unacceptable levels of chemicals. The Council reports that the Department of Health sampled the bores, and it was advised in the early 1980's that the levels of chemicals detected in all bores sampled were acceptable. However, this information has not been confirmed. (5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
The Council reports that the Department of Health sampled the bores, and it was advised in the early 1980's that the levels of chemicals detected in all bores sampled were acceptable. However, this information has not been confirmed. (5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
(5) The DEP is not aware of any recent testing in relation to this site. (6) N/A.
(6) N/A.
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