Kwinana industrial air buffer review released for comment

22/08/02
The general public is being invited to comment on a review of the Kwinana industry air buffer released today by the State Government.
The air buffer review is one of several State Government initiatives designed to address environmental concerns linked to land use conflict in areas surrounding the Kwinana industrial strip.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the review fulfilled a Government election commitment, and would lead to the fairest possible outcome for the community and industry.
"The review will redefine the buffer based on the best technical information available, combined with comments provided by members of the community," Ms MacTiernan said.
"The objective is to avoid future conflicts in land use by preventing industrial development from encroaching on residential areas, and by preventing urban development from encroaching on areas affected by industry.
"I encourage people in the Kwinana area and the broader community to embrace the consultation period, because it is their chance to make sure the Government gets it right."
Ms MacTiernan said the review had identified areas where the existing buffer boundaries could be contracted without causing land use conflict or constraining industry.
Other areas had been identified for expansion of the buffer to ensure residential development did not occur in areas of existing industrial and non-residential land use.
Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards said that in addition to the buffer review, several strategies were in place to address continuing concerns about the effects of industry on health in the Kwinana area.
"The Department of Environmental Protection is heavily involved in a national dioxin program which will see 12 months of air monitoring for dioxin, plus extensive fauna and soils sampling over the next couple of years," Dr Edwards said.
"The program will also include sampling of aquatic environments, and will answer many of the questions people have raised about the presence and effects of dioxin in the environment around the Kwinana industrial area.
"The State Government is also working to establish the recently announced Environmental Health Foundation, which will provide independent expert advice to the Government on many of the concerns that have been raised by people in the Kwinana area in relation to industry and health effects."
The buffer review was conducted by a working group comprising expert representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
Copies of the review report and advice on how to make a submission are available on the WAPC's Internet site at http://www.planning.wa.gov.au
Closing date for public submissions is Friday, September 27.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister's office: 9213 6400
Environment and Heritage Minister's office: 9220 5050