Pollutants found outside Williamtown red zone

BY MICHAEL COOK

The New South Wales environmental watchdog has agreed to reconsider the boundaries of Williamtown's contamination red zone following evidence that firefighting chemicals have been found outside the border.

A couple in Fullerton Cove who live outside the red zone have returned alarming blood test results showing they contained harmful chemicals more than 10 times above the national average for their age.

Residents in the area are bemused after they said they were verbally reassured they should not be alarmed by NSW Environment Protection Authority officials.

NSW Shadow Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe says more needs to be done for residents living near the red zone.

"We need to know how far this contamination is impacting on people and the EPA needs to take action," she said.

Contaminated water has been leaking from the RAAF base for years
Source: http://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/williamtown-water-contamination-highlights-dangers-of-pfos-and-pfoa/news-story/90ad98e6fe99fe78641d91a7e9596a3c

Butterfly Cave under further threat as CCTV cameras are installed

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Butterfly Cave in West Wallsend is back in parliament after the NSW Opposition asked the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Sarah Mitchell what steps the Berejiklian Government is taking to protect the site, following allegations of spying and installation of CCTV cameras around the site.

The cave is currently in danger of collapse if construction of a residential housing estate planned to only allow a 20-metre buffer zone is allowed to go ahead.

The site - which was formally declared an Aboriginal Place in the same year approval was given to develop the housing estate - has also traditionally been used by Aboriginal women and girls, as a private meeting place for hundreds of years.

Approval for the development was given in 2013 to developer Roche Group, who are currently developing a Construction Management Plan which the Office of Environment and Heritage says is "to ensure all construction is properly facilitated, integrated and coordinated so as to deliver certainty to the objectives of the Project".

Shadow Minister for the Environment and Heritage Penny Sharpe said she was really disappointed when the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Sarah Mitchell refused to outline what the government was doing to protect the site and women who use it.

"Reports from local Awabakal women is that they are concerned that people are watching the ceremonies and the activities that they undertake at the cave.

"This is a very serious allegation which needs to be taken seriously," Ms Sharpe said.

When asked about the issue of CCTV installation and spying at the site, Ms Sharpe said the Minister "essentially washed her hands of the matter saying simply that people should go to the council or go to the developers and that is not good enough.

"The Butterfly Cave is a declared special place under Aboriginal Cultural Heritage legislation and it deserves far more protection than it is currently getting," Ms Sharpe said.

A petition to save the site from development has almost 65,000 signatures.

Petitioner Anne Andrews said "it is heartbreaking - the construction will damage our fragile cave. We’re desperate to save our sanctuary but the Roche Group Manager is threatening us with trespassing for continuing to go into the Butterfly Cave, a rare, private safe space for Aboriginal women. He’s installing CCTV, sends emails that show he’s spying on us and has even forced us to ask permission each time we want to enter. It's degrading and offensive.

"The Cave is incredibly special to Aboriginal women. Generations of women have treasured this spiritual place. Today I take my grand-daughters to the Cave to connect with our past. For many local families, the site has huge cultural significance," Ms Andrews said.

Left: Melinda Brown with granddaughter Yasmine at the Butterfly Cave.
 Picture: Peter Stoop. Right: Penny Sharpe.

Calls for Investigation into Newcastle Contamination

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

The State Government is being urged to hold a public information forum to address recent reports on heavy metal contamination in NEWCASTLE.

According to a report by MACQUARIE University, high levels of lead and copper can be found in many of NEWCASTLE's backyards and parks.

The levels found are considered to be dangerous to human health and Shadow Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe says the government needs to act.

"The EPA (Environment Protection Authority) has been silent really since this came out late last year and we think it's time that they need to step up," she said.

After the contamination at Williamtown, Penny Sharpe says she doesn't want a repeat in Newcastle.

"We know what happened in Williamtown. The EPA sat on the information for years," she said.

"We know that there are issues with industrial pollution that really impact on families that are moving in here and live here. It's time that the government provide information to the community so they know they're safe."

Newcastle MP, Tim Crakanthorp is also urging the government to hold a forum so Hunter residents understand how to manage contamination if it's found.

He says their response to this issue is poor.

"The government is very slowly to react on this. It should be acting quickly. It should have the EPA up here informing the community what this research means.

"Whether it's a veggie patch here in the back garden or children playing in the park, this government needs to set its resources onto this issue to make the public aware, through a public forum, of exactly what the contamination is and what that means for the people of Newcastle and the Hunter," he said.

Newcastle MP, Tim Crakanthorp and Shadow Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe with New Lambton resident Sue Walmsley 

Labor Calls For Central Supercars Authority In Newcastle

BY IAN CROUCH

The state opposition is calling on the Berejiklian Government to establish a central coordination authority in Newcastle to run the V8 Supercars event in November.

The government has week introduced legislation to have the event coordinated by Destination NSW through a host of committees based in Sydney.

Labor says this is in stark contrast to the Supercars event held in Sydney, where a Homebush Motor Racing Authority was set up to be a central touch point for the community.

Shadow Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Penny Sharpe has described the arrangements for Newcastle as a recipe for confusion and buck passing.

"People are worried that Supercars have been responsible for the consultation. We believe that this is completely inappropriate - people, need an independent, government organisation that's able to coordinate all of the different stakeholders - residents, businesses, and the event organisers, to make sure that this runs smoothly, but also to give them somewhere where they can actually have their complaints heard," she said.

Labor Mps Tim Crackenthorp and Penny Sharpe call for Central Supercars Authority In Newcastle

Kate Washington calling for an Upper House Inquiry into Williamtown Contamination

BY JARROD MELMETH

State Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington is hoping for cross bench support for an upper house inquiry into the Williamtown contamination crisis.

The motion was introduced to parliament yesterday by Shadow Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe which has seen support from The Greens but has not seen any support from the government.

Kate Washington says she is now discussing possible terms of reference with cross-benchers.

"Hopefully if we can get their support we can have the motion voted on and passed, so that we can get it the inquiry underway as soon as possible."

It has been 11 months since the Williamtown contamination became public.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington. Photo courtesy
of Facebook.