Calls to clean up environment law

Mr Tallentire was in High Wycombe to meet residents of Jacaranda Springs in High Wycombe last week who have opposed the clean-up of a toxic site at Lot 20 Adelaide Street for fear it stir up contaminants in the soil.

He said if an appeal against the clean-up to the Department of Environmental Regulation was dismissed, then the only constraints on the project would be the licensing limits of the proponent.

Jacaranda Springs residents spokeswoman Lisa Woods said the group wanted to bring the politician up to date on the progress of the appeal to the DER.

Mr Tallentire said if the activity to clean up the site was permitted, it could be worse than the current state of the site left dormant.

“Conversely it is possible for Environment Minister Albert Jacob to sit on this and not action it before the next State election,” he said.

“This would be a bad outcome for the residents, who are keen to get a result here.”

Mr Tallentire said the community had mounted a very effective grass roots campaign and was awaiting the outcome of the appeal.

“If this appeal is dismissed, then the only environmental constraints on this project will be the licensing limits of the proponent,” he said.

Kalamunda President Andrew Waddell said the environmental legislation created a structural problem which showed a flaw in the system.

“We need strategies to get the right people to look at the appeal in the right positions,” Cr Waddell said.

Ms Woods said the group was hoping to meet with the Forrestfield Labor candidate Steve Price.

“We want to bring pressure to bear on Minister Jacob and local member Nathan Morton to act on this potential health problem,” she said.

Cr Waddell said the community was waiting for the outcome of the appeal.

“It is sitting on a desk and we hope to hear any day now the result of this appeal,” he said.

He said the Shire was offering its support to the residents of High Wycombe on this issue.