Just who is being protected?

Residents near Wagerup alumina refinery were told not to be concerned by a new report which finds some emissions may be affecting nearby communities. A new radar system found emissions from the refinery may extend for up to 5 kilometers under certain weather conditions, traveling very low to the ground.

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The DEC Air Quality branch say previous test on Alcoa's emissions have found volatile compounds are well below acceptable health limits. The DEC went on to say "these events have been going on presumably for many years" We would concur with that, as people living nearby have been getting ill for many years.
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How long did the government known about Wagerup problems and did nothing? Were they monitoring before they used the radar system or were they leaving the monitoring to Alcoa? Is the same stench coming from the plant in Kwinana? Who is doing the monitoring at Kwinana?
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The residents living near the Alcoa Wagerup refinery have science to back up their complaints regarding odours. The DEC say they are working with Alcoa to change the way it records the emissions, and to ensure they have minimal impact on the communities. Alcoa need to more than change the way they record their emissions, they need to use the latest technology and cut the emissions.


The DEC now comments that the liquor burner will only destroy the specific compounds when it's operating at the correct temperature. It's also known Wagerup have had problems for years maintaining the liquor burner temperature. And we have heard that Alcoa Kwinana has also had similar problems. We have all know this for years. Why weren't the DEC doing something since community reps pointed it out to them many years ago and many times over many years.

Just who is protecting the community - certainly not the departments that are paid to.

It's time government departments made up their minds who they're paid to protect.