2/5/01
Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards said today the Government would request that Parliament endorse a Parliamentary Standing Committee inquiry into the Bellevue chemical fire.
Dr Edwards said a standing committee inquiry would have a wide scope to examine all the issues relating to the lead up and post management of the Bellevue fire.
"The community has a right to know what happened at Bellevue and how we can prevent it from happening again," she said.
"The issues, which we will ask Parliament to refer to a Standing Committee, are intended to be far reaching to ensure the community's questions are answered."
A committee would be asked to:
- examine and report on the role of relevant Government agencies and relevant Ministers of the Crown in -
- approving the treatment and storage of waste at the site; and
- regulating waste treatment at the site, including monitoring and enforcement measures;
- examine the nature and quantities of non-compliant materials stored at the site;
- examine the nature and quantities of materials that were stored at the site at the time of the fire and the extent to which the local environment and community were exposed to contamination resulting from the fire;
- examine waste storage alternatives to Waste Control Pty Ltd in Western Australia and the reasons why these were or were not utilised;
- examine the response of relevant Government agencies to the incident on February 15, 2001 and post-crisis management, including health and environmental effects; and
- make recommendations regarding any administrative or legislative changes which are considered necessary or desirable for the better practice of waste management in WA.
Dr Edwards said the Government would recommend that Parliament endorse a full examination of the post-crisis management of the Bellevue site in direct response to strong community concerns.
"The community has clearly expressed fears regarding health and environmental effects and these issues must be addressed," she said.
Dr Edwards said a Parliamentary Standing Committee was the obvious choice to undertake an inquiry, as it had broad powers to subpoena witnesses from industry and government agencies involved in the management of Bellevue.
Local MLA and Emergency Services Minister Michelle Roberts said Government would also recommend that the committee inquiry provide for public submissions.
"Given the strong public interest, and the need to gather all available information relevant to the operations of the facility, the Government would seek broad public consultation in any inquiry,'' Mrs Roberts said.
"I believe the opportunity for the community to have their say is vital - and an inquiry into the fire can provide that through public submissions."
Media contact: John Carey 9421 7777
