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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 10 Hansard (12 October) . . Page.. 2927 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

Authority, which directed that further extensive testing across the 2,000 tonnes of material already isolated be undertaken. In other words, Mr Speaker, the correct authorities were notified immediately - both WorkCover in respect of OH&S issues and the Environment Management Authority in respect of environmental impacts were notified - and that is the process that should be followed.

The Environment Management Authority ordered further testing and that happened: On 24 September, sampling was undertaken by Ecowise and the samples were submitted to the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories for analysis because it is the body best able to do these tests. The story appeared in the Canberra Times and I issued a press release that we were carrying out further testing. That press release clearly says that there were 2,000 tonnes of this floc at the tip. There was no attempt to hide it. You cannot hide 2,000 tonnes of floc. But it was the loads that had large wire cables in them that really got people interested in what was in this material.

On 7 October, the results of the extensive testing were received and indicated that the floc material had consistently high levels of contamination throughout the 2,000 tonnes. The results from the detailed testing confirmed that there was contamination of the floc from metal recycling, showing lead concentrations in samples that varied from 2,500 milligrams per kilogram to 10,000 milligrams per kilogram, all of which are above the guidelines for inert lead waste of 1,500 milligrams per kilogram at landfills. That is the same as the standard which applies in New South Wales. ACT Waste made these results available to ACT WorkCover on the same day as part of an OH&S meeting. ACT WorkCover identified the need to keep the site dampened down and for staff to have blood tests - again, everybody acted properly upon scientific advice.

Mr Speaker, the Environment Management Authority then directed ACT Waste to continue the non-acceptance of any metal floc at the landfill and to remove material currently on site for appropriate disposal. The Environment Management Authority also advised the New South Wales EPA of the test results and the need to remove the material and of possible breaches in transporting this material in New South Wales and across the border. The next day, 8 October, an OH&S meeting was convened with ACT WorkCover to implement health testing of staff and further safety precautions to protect workers and the public.

ACT Waste advised Metalcorp of the tests and requested the removal of the material on site for appropriate disposal. ACT WorkCover then contacted the Chief Health Officer. The Chief Health Officer inspected the site that day and it was agreed with ACT Waste and the EMA to close the landfill temporarily due to the unacceptably high level of lead at the site which may provide a risk to staff and the public. The EMA said that the floc material in question was very stable and posed no immediate threat to the environment. Mr Speaker, while the material remains damp there is little risk of dust contamination.

On 9 October, a meeting was held between the ACT Fire Brigade, ACT Health and ACT WorkCover to finalise a safe working plan for the covering of the isolated material at the West Belconnen landfill. Following that - on the 9th, 10th and 11th, as we all know - appropriate action was taken to close the tip and to cover the waste with soil. Yesterday, 11 October, ACT Health, ACT WorkCover and the EMA confirmed that, subject to completing the construction of a temporary fence around the isolated site, the landfill could reopen this morning. That has occurred and the landfill is now open.

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