❓ Mr. Catania questions the Minister for Lands regarding remediation of asbestos-contaminated roads and the financial burden on the Shire of Ashburton due to Wittenoom-related litigation. The Minister acknowledges the issues and ongoing negotiations but clarifies the current legislation focuses solely on property acquisition.
AnsweredQoN 192Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COMPULSORY PROPERTY
ACQUISITION — WITTENOOM
192. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for Lands:
I refer to the minister's
announcement yesterday that the state government will acquire 17 properties in
Wittenoom.
(1) Given his
focus on ensuring public safety and minimising exposure to asbestos tailings,
will the state government address and fund remediation of roads used for
carting asbestos products that continue to pose a threat to public health?
(2) Will he
consider excising the Wittenoom town site from the Shire of Ashburton, which
faces legal fees of up to $1 million a year as a result of litigation launched
by those affected by asbestos-related diseases?
ACQUISITION — WITTENOOM
192. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for Lands:
I refer to the minister's
announcement yesterday that the state government will acquire 17 properties in
Wittenoom.
(1) Given his
focus on ensuring public safety and minimising exposure to asbestos tailings,
will the state government address and fund remediation of roads used for
carting asbestos products that continue to pose a threat to public health?
(2) Will he
consider excising the Wittenoom town site from the Shire of Ashburton, which
faces legal fees of up to $1 million a year as a result of litigation launched
by those affected by asbestos-related diseases?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) As I pointed out yesterday—I
second read the legislation today—the state is moving to compulsorily
acquire the remaining 17 freehold properties at the former Wittenoom town site.
By and large, I think people understand why the government is doing that. The
only critique I have had about that proposal has been from the member for North
West Central, who clearly does not support the government's position.
The Shire of Ashburton and the state government have been in negotiations
for a fairly long time, even going back to the term of the former government,
to resolve a range of issues, including those raised by the member for North
West Central. We will continue to do so. I think there was some very good
correspondence between the Premier and the shire late last year on this.
Clearly, there is a range of issues beyond simply the acquisition of the 17
properties that have to be resolved regarding the legacy Wittenoom has left for
the state of WA and on Western Australians who continue to suffer from cancer
caused by exposure to blue asbestos. We will resolve those over time, I am
sure, including the issue around the road and a range of other matters. They
will not be easy but we are determined to resolve them. That is not part of the
legislation. The legislation is very specific to the acquisition of those 17 properties.
second read the legislation today—the state is moving to compulsorily
acquire the remaining 17 freehold properties at the former Wittenoom town site.
By and large, I think people understand why the government is doing that. The
only critique I have had about that proposal has been from the member for North
West Central, who clearly does not support the government's position.
The Shire of Ashburton and the state government have been in negotiations
for a fairly long time, even going back to the term of the former government,
to resolve a range of issues, including those raised by the member for North
West Central. We will continue to do so. I think there was some very good
correspondence between the Premier and the shire late last year on this.
Clearly, there is a range of issues beyond simply the acquisition of the 17
properties that have to be resolved regarding the legacy Wittenoom has left for
the state of WA and on Western Australians who continue to suffer from cancer
caused by exposure to blue asbestos. We will resolve those over time, I am
sure, including the issue around the road and a range of other matters. They
will not be easy but we are determined to resolve them. That is not part of the
legislation. The legislation is very specific to the acquisition of those 17 properties.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.