Local radioactive waste - the inside storyCould the community be in danger? By Emma Kae - 15th May 2001 - Back to News There have been some concerns within the Loch Sport community that the recent dumping of waste product in the Dutson Downs region could prove harmful to the local area and its people.
Responding to this outburst of controversy, the Wellington Shire Council has moved to allay community concerns by seeking answers on behalf of the public.
Chief Executive Officer Lyndon Webb has said that Council has been reassured by Gippsland Water’s Chief Executive John Mitchell and Natural Resource Manager Mark Dunbar. He says that the waste site is not a health risk to local residents, or to the local area.
"We appreciate the need for a responsibly-run facility to dispose of waste from our community,” he said. “We are also very conscious of the need to look after the health of our people and our environment,"
"We have been told the level of radioactivity at the site is no greater than the radioactivity of everyday life, comparable to levels omitted by a smoke detector and half the radioactivity of some brands of fertiliser," he said.
Some members of the community have not been content with this statement, declaring that they do not believe that Dutson is the appropriate place for this waste storage, regardless of the level of radioactivity.
One person within the community, Mr. X, has stated that “whilst Gippsland Water and EPA are at pains to assure us that the level of radioactivity is low, top scientists in this area have argued that there are no known safe limits for radioactivity in relation to long term human health and safety.”
If there is any question at all about the safety of this material, and there is, surely it should not be stored in an area that is nestled within farmland, local communities and a sensitive and significant eco-system?
When Mr. X asked Mr Mitchell, what revenue was generated for Gippsland Water from this radioactive waste he stated that the profit amounted to only $20 - $30 per tonne. This amounts to an approximate yearly profit of $1000 to $1500.
As Mr. X stated, “on a cost/benefit/risk basis, this is a ridiculously small amount of money to be gained from what is a very contentious and publicly upsetting situation.”
Mr. Mitchell was also queried as to whether or not there were plans for Dutson to increase the amounts of the existing types of waste. It is a big fear of the local people that Dutson Downs will become the dump for wastes from all over Victoria. Mr. X was unable to obtain a definite answer.
The council has been assured, however, that the majority of waste that has been disposed of at Dutson Downs was from within Gippsland. Furthermore, there are no immediate plans to take in new types of waste from outside of Gippsland.
Mr X. has spoken up about his concern for the future. “Speaking about the damage done to the local environment from poor decisions and practices in the 50's, Mr Mitchell stated that it was unfortunate that we were living now with the legacy of the past. I wonder about what will be said (in) 20, 50 or 100 years about the legacy that we are creating (now).”
Mr Webb has stated that the council has been told “the works being carried out at the site are to improve efficiency and ensure best practice. We have an undertaking from Mr Mitchell any expansion plans would be preceded by extensive community consultation and with Council."
What does this mean about the dumping of tomorrow? Mr. Mitchell has been contacted in request for further comment regarding his stance on the matter.
How do you feel? Have your say in the feedback section below.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: office@messenger.com.au
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