Behind The Times

We continually hear of staff shortages in government areas, so are the required follow ups on certain stipulations within licenses been carried out? Do the qualified people still exist within the departments or are industry been left unchecked? Is the continuous monitoring and conformity being carried out at NuFarm as an example, or will we hear the same tired excuses?

A worrying aspect for communities is the company NuFarm that deep-well injects waste, containing herbicides and pesticides chemicals, it was believed their license at the time was meant only to be temporary. With the closure of Brookdale waste facility, the 3C had the job of finding areas where the waste could be stored safely until disposed of.

The Department of Environment at the time had said they believed that deep-well injection was "relatively safe" but they would not allow any other company to do the same. NuFarm has been carrying out this practice since 1984, temporary should not mean finding the cheapest way for this company to dispose of waste. They should be concerned about doing it the safest way possible. The government have shown just how irresponsible they are by permitting the company to dispose of waste in this way. So where is the waste from other companies that used Brookdale being stored..?

Just what does "relatively safe" mean, we just hope for the best..? It's been said NuFarm have been working with the DEC to find a long term solution, possibly Mr McGowan should also be in the mix as he was the one to remove the 3C before they had completed their task. Can NuFarm prove the plume under Kwinana was not part of their doing through seepage? Has any significant bore maintenance been carried out ?

It's been 24 years still no solutions, even after it was said it was not an acceptable way to go in this day and age. Where are the studies to show what NuFarm are doing is safe, or can they produce scientific data showing there will be no critical impact in the near future ?