Show us Canberra families are being protected. Please provide comprehensive health and safety reports for the Yarralumla Brickworks asbestos remediation.

The issue

I am seriously concerned for the health of my family and the health of other Canberra residents.

The ACT Government plans to dig up and transport asbestos and other dangerous contaminants from the asbestos dump at the Yarralumla Brickworks to West Belconnen. Canberra is already experiencing an asbestos crisis that has damaged families; the dump is close to houses and the trucks will carry contaminants through residential areas.

This development plan should not go ahead because no public report has explained how the health and safety of Canberra residents will be protected. If a comprehensive risk assessment has been completed, the ACT Government must present it in full to the public.

The ACT Government must provide detailed plans and costings that comply with ACT regulations regarding asbestos remediation and all reports detailing how Canberra residents' health and safety will be protected from site contaminants, noise and trucks transporting contaminants.

Comprehensive plans and costings for the remediation timeframes and an independent report on contamination levels should also be shown to the public.

Canberra residents need full assurance the ACT Government is protecting their health and safety.

Katherine WilkinsonPetition starter

Media enquiries

This petition had 340 supporters

The issue

I am seriously concerned for the health of my family and the health of other Canberra residents.

Comprehensive plans and costings for the remediation timeframes and an independent report on contamination levels should also be shown to the public.

Canberra residents need full assurance the ACT Government is protecting their health and safety.

Katherine WilkinsonPetition starter

Media enquiries

Petition Closed

This petition had 340 supporters

The Decision Makers

Katy Gallagher,

Shadow Minister for Finance and Public Service

Responded

“Ms Katherine Wilkinson c/- change.org Dear Ms Wilkinson and petitioners Thank you for raising your concerns through the petition on the change.org website in relation to the future remediation of land as part of the redevelopment of the Canberra Brickworks and Environs. I would like to begin by assuring you that the ACT Government takes the safe management of contaminated materials very seriously. Any remediation of contaminated sites is undertaken in accordance with the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999 (amended in May 2013) endorsed by the ACT Environment Protection Authority (EPA). All works are also developed in a manner that is strictly in accordance with ACT EPA’s 2009 Contaminated Sites Environment Protection Policy with independent technical review against these stringent ACT policies by an EPA accredited site auditor. These EPA policies and procedures are available at: http://www.environment.act.gov.au/environment/environment_protection_authority/business_and_industry/contaminatedsites The ACT Government has allocated $3.2 million to undertake the remediation of contaminated materials from the ground west of the Canberra Brickworks kilns, and to upgrade perimeter fencing at the site. A further $2.1 million has been committed by the Land Development Agency in order to complete the remediation works. The budgets allocated to remediation have been determined collaboratively by a range of suitably qualified consultants. In order to remediate the land at the Canberra Brickworks, a range of best practice precautions will be put in place to ensure the safety of the community during the remediation project. These measures will include the appointment of an ACT licensed Class A asbestos removal company who will be selected based on a rigorous Expression of Interest and tendering process. The site investigation and remediation works will also be overseen by an independent ACT licensed Class A asbestos assessor. In order to commence works on site, a Remediation Action Plan is also being prepared. The Remediation Action Plan is being undertaken by an ACT licensed Class A asbestos assessor, and this document will also be approved by the appointed independent Site Auditor. The Remediation Action Plan will present a range of remedial options for the nature and extent of impacts that have occurred as a result of the historical use of the Canberra Brickworks. The final remediation strategy will be designed to ensure the site’s remediation in a manner that is protective of the health and safety of the local community as well as site workers. The Remediation Action Plan will include several strict safety and monitoring measures that will ensure materials are handled with the utmost care, including the process for removal and transport of hazardous materials, and the safety aspects of heavy vehicles using suburban streets. Once completed, the Remediation Action Plan will be publicly available through the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate website. All works will be undertaken in accordance with the procedure for the management of contaminated assets, which is also available on the website. The ACT Government is committed to ongoing engagement on the remediation at the Canberra Brickworks and as part of this commitment will hold a public information session shortly after the Remediation Action Plan is released. In addition, following commencement of works on site, regular safety updates will be provided to the community each week on the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate website. I intend to table your petition in the ACT Legislative Assembly for the public record. I would like to thank petitioners for raising this matter with me. I trust the information that I have provided to you addresses your concerns. Yours sincerely Katy Gallagher MLA Chief Minister 21 July 2014 ”

Katy Gallagher

Shadow Minister for Finance and Public Service

Responded

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Petition created on 21 June 2014