Kwinana from the inside

Live Exports heading to Kwinana

2011-06-24T17:03:00.001+08:00

As reported in the West Australian: Live sheep trade may move to Kwinana BEN HARVEY STATE POLITICAL EDITOR, The West Australian June 23, 2011, 5:16 amTransport Minister Troy Buswell wants to shift the live sheep trade from Fremantle to Kwinana in a move that would be a win for voters in the electorates of Premier Colin Barnett and independent MP Adele Carles but a big loss for the Labor

Plans to increase legal noise pollution limits in Kwinana

2011-06-08T00:28:00.001+08:00

The State Government plans to increase the legal limits of Kwinana industry noise pollution by 10 decibels. Below is our submission on this proposal: Click on images to enlarge Here are some previous blogs on the illegal noise levels in Kwinana: How well did you sleep?When will it end? A message for Wesfarmers The best of the worst It's name and shame time - Wesfarmers Kwinana Town Council

In bed with Corporate Industry

2011-06-01T19:10:00.001+08:00

Click on image to enlarge

You will pay for trying to protect your community

2011-06-01T18:58:00.001+08:00

A few months ago we, as a not for profit community group in Kwinana, held a presentation, with special guest US professor Paul Connett on the dangers of incineration, at the Kwinana Requatic Centre. The requatic centre is a community owned building so a few days before the presentation I wrote the the Town of Kwinana (TOK) (our local council) CEO and asked for the hire fees to be wavered or

Liberal Party push for Kwinana incinerator confirmed.

2011-03-10T11:19:00.001+08:00

This article from thewest.com confirms the WA Liberals involvement in the push for an incinerator in Kwinana: ANITA McINNES, Sound TelegraphMarch 10, 2011Premier explores waste energyPremier Colin Barnett and South Metropolitan MLC Phil Edman have visited incinerator plants in Tokyo while in Japan to mark Western Australia's 30th anniversary with sister state Hyogo. After touring one of Moltoni

The main reason for a Kwinana Incinerator

2011-03-10T11:13:00.001+08:00

This article appeared in our local media, in which the Town of Kwinana and Kwinana Industry make some rather strange claims and admissions. click on image to enlargeKwinana Council and Kwinana Industry claim our group did not stop a previous incinerator proposal in Kwinana which we fought for 4 years. Just why do they think that no other council would sign contracts to supply waste for this

Kwinana warned of incinerator 'crime'

2011-03-06T22:58:00.010+08:00

Hello all, I have been otherwise occupied of late, so am playing catch up now. Thank you all for staying tuned.The visit by US incineration expert Dr Paul Connett went well, but it seems those that will make the decisions, once again didn't and probably just won't get the message, so the battle will continue.Dr Connett was brought to WA by ACE WA in association with the Kwinana Watchdog Group

"Environmental campaigners to continue Alcoa fight"

2011-02-09T18:22:00.003+08:00

"Environmental campaigner Erin Brockovich says lawyers will now consider pursuing legal action against Alcoa in Australia, after a U.S. court threw out their case.Led by Ms Brockovich, almost 250 locals claimed emissions from Alcoa's refineries in Kwinana, Wagerup and Pinjarra were making them sick.The action was launched in Pennsylvania where Alcoa's head office is based. Last week, the US Court

The truth about Incineration

2011-02-07T20:24:00.007+08:00

Reminder: International expert on waste Professor Paul Connett will explain why a Kwinana Incinerator is such a bad idea:Don't be fooled by the Greed. Don't be fooled that there are no health problems related to pollution in Kwinana. Don't be fooled that wind does not blow pollution into Kwinana. Don't be fooled by those dirty industries looking for a quick fix to their waste problem at

Why so many communities reject waste incineration

2011-02-01T16:04:00.007+08:00

From GAIA website: "Burning waste has many negative environmental, social and health consequences. Waste incinerators do all of the following:1. Poison our environment, bodies, and food supply with toxic chemicals. Incinerators produce a variety of toxic discharges to the air, water and ground that are significant sources of a range of powerful pollutants, including dioxin and other chlorinated

Learn the truth about Incineration

2011-01-14T13:34:00.008+08:00

As we know Kwinana Council in partnership with Kwinana Industry, ALCOA, and a company called Moltoni Energy have been pushing to have an incinerator built in Kwinana to burn household waste and also hazardous industrial waste.We in association with Alliance for a Clean Environment (ACE) WA have organised a presentation on incineration by international waste expert Dr. Paul Connett. Please come

"In the Ghetto"

2010-11-01T22:52:00.005+08:00

This was submitted and I just couldn't resist publishing, a classic...With apologies to Elvis Presley.Sing in the tune of "In the Ghetto"On a cold grey Kwinana mornanother little plan was hatched and bornin the chamberThe CEO and KIC got togetherwith the Mayor at the edge of the seain CockburnMoltoni Group and a few men moreand they whispered about incineratorin KwinanaThey took a little trip to

Kwinana Council playing games with its community.

2010-10-27T22:13:00.005+08:00

The Kwinana Council is playing games with its community.This community is being kept in the dark and mislead over this incinerator proposal.Just what is the real story Kwinana Council and Kwinana Industry?You may also like to read related posts: Why do Kwinana Industry want MSW Incineration?Incineration is not recycling.Consultation what consultation?Clean Incineration is a dirty lie.Why

Why do Kwinana Industry want MSW incineration

2010-10-27T22:12:00.001+08:00

Why is Kwinana Industry so keen to be involved in a municipal waste incinerator?Exactly what is Alcoa's involvement? For the record: The Kwinana Industries Council Director is married to Kwinana Council Mayor Carol Adams. He was also involved in another incinerator proposal for Kwinana in 2000-2004 when he was working for Kwinana Council, that proposal, although approved by Kwinana Council,

Incineration is not Recycling

2010-10-27T20:07:00.007+08:00

It seems this community is largely being kept in the dark and mislead on this incineration issue.Waste to energy, just another name for incineration, is NOT recycling. Incineration IS destruction, incineration actually competes against recycling and has many other disadvantages.More information:Why incineration is a very bad idea in the Twenty First Century.Incinerators: Myths versus Facts

Consultation what Consultation?

2010-10-22T15:14:00.007+08:00

Do they really expect all of us in Kwinana to just accept what they and their corporate giant industry mates tell us?Click on image to enlargeCould this be another example of Kwinana Council becoming a dictatorship?

Clean Incineration is a Dirty Lie

2010-09-30T09:06:00.000+08:00

The Mayor and CEO of Kwinana Council are off on another Junket, this time allegedly 'to look at impacts of incinerators' in Japan. It is little wonder Kwinana's rates are rising more than most other councils in recent years. Yes a town that has been proven the most disadvantaged community in Perth yet our rates have risen more than most councils in Australia.If Kwinana Council has it's way plans

Spin, Spin and more Spin

2010-09-29T09:26:00.011+08:00

I am getting dizzy with all the spin.Meeting Minutes should not be SpinI along with other community members, including a few that for some reason seem to think that corporate giants the likes of Alcoa, BHP Billiton, Tiwest, Wesfarmers, Coogee Chemicals, Cockburn Cement, BP etc that make up Kwinana Industry are not big enough to protect themselves - I digress... Anyway we were invited by Kwinana

"Industry do not pollute"

2010-09-29T09:00:00.000+08:00

After the blog post of yesterday asking should the Cockburn Sound Management Council - CSMC be sacked? I think this media article of today, wherein Kwinana Industry goes to bat for CSMC answers that question perfectly.CSMC have since around 2007/8 been over protective of Kwinana Industry and it became obvious that something was wrong when Kwinana Industry and Cockburn Sound Management Council

Should the Cockburn Sound Management Council be sacked?

2010-09-28T13:11:00.012+08:00

To follow on from the post Environmental Management of Cockburn Sound Fails, the Minister of Environment Donna Faragher claims she is going to "discuss the issues raised in the Auditor Generals report with the authorities in question".The failures, the deception and the cover ups to protect industry must end, it is beyond time that those responsible be held accountable.The Department of

Environmental Management of Cockburn Sound Fails

2010-09-22T22:44:00.009+08:00

As some of us already knew and have been highlighting for years, the WA Auditor General has found the current management of Cockburn Sound is incapable of maintaining ecosystem health of the Sound.This must read report can be found on the Auditor Generals website here.The Cockburn Sound Management Council CSMC - FAILED;The Department of Environment and Conservation DEC - FAILED, and;The

Is Kwinana becoming a Dictatorship?

2010-09-22T09:55:00.015+08:00

On 23rd June 2010 some of us attended a local council meeting to question council on what it was doing and what it intended to do about live exports through Kwinana.In response to questions the Mayor made some rather concerning comments, such as: "Council has been working hard behind the scenes on this issue - Council has not even discussed what it should do or made a decision on what to do -

Kwinana Council is not serious about stopping live exports

2010-09-22T09:42:00.015+08:00

Kwinana Council has refused to join Fremantle Council in opposing live exports. Kwinana Council claim they will not get involved in the animal welfare issue, and also claim they "are not interested in getting involved in the debate over live exports compared to transport of refrigerated carcasses."Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams continues to claim that Kwinana Industry oppose live exports through

Updates to BP's use of NALCO's Corexit

2010-07-01T14:47:00.006+08:00

Please note latest updates to the post on BP's use of NALCO's Corexit dispersant by BP in the Gulf of Mexico. Updated 04-08-2010: Questions over safety of NALCO's Corexit oil dispersant by BP in the gulf of Mexico.

Ban Live Exports

2010-06-15T22:02:00.002+08:00

The fight against live exports through Kwinana is gaining momentum:Please join us at a protest Rally outside Parliament House Perth;Image courtesy of PACATTuesday 22nd June 20101 - 2 pm.(Rally organised by PACAT see Stop Live Exports).We now have a facebook page for No Livestock Export through Kwinana, please join here.

No Livestock Exports through Kwinana

2010-06-11T11:46:00.007+08:00

Pic from: http://kwinana.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Rally-against-live-exports/7558954/Kwinana Watchdog Group spokesperson Steve Hesse today called on the Local Council, State and Federal politicians to join local community members and do what ever possible to halt livestock exports.See local media article Rally against live exports.In other news the West Australian Government

Tiwest Gassings carry on unabated

2010-06-10T11:01:00.008+08:00

At about 11:30 yesterday morning another 3 contractors were gassed with Chlorine at Tiwest Kwinana.It seems the gassings have continued unabated since I blogged about the issue last about 2 months ago. I am told that around 13 people have been gassed in that time.Tiwest has been telling its staff that basically the contractors are making up the gassings to drag the job out a bit. I have spoken

Questions over safety of Nalco oil dispersant

2010-06-09T10:55:00.027+08:00

Clipping from Community Newspaper Kwinana Courier NALCO is the company supplying the oil dispersant Corexit to BP for use on the Gulf of Mexico oil gusher. Ironicly at the same time as the above photograph was taken of Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams with NALCO manager at Kwinana, serious questions where being raised about the safety/toxicity of this NALCO product and the effects it could have on

Rally Against Cockburn Cement Pollution

2010-04-29T21:56:00.006+08:00

Locals around the Cockburn Cement Munster Works are holding a rally in protest against Cockburn Cement's ongoing pollution.Please come along if you can and please pass this information onto others.Saturday 8th May 2010.11:00 amOutside Cockburn CementSee blog post on Cockburn Cement issue here and hereThe new facebook page for the rally is here.The new facebook page Your Voice About Cockburn

Denial does not make it right

2010-04-23T09:02:00.002+08:00

A local newspaper did not allow the right of reply to the Mayors letter so here it is. Of course Kwinana Council's and Kwinana Industries massive advertising budget would not have anything to do with the seemingly bias of our media would it?In refernece to the issue of Kwinana's Mayor Carol Adam's denial of any Conflict of Interest in her public praise supporting her husband's employer, (the

BP Oil Rig explodes off US coast

2010-04-22T08:03:00.008+08:00

File photo BP Kwinana BP worldwide safety still under question with another incident. This time an oil rig off the US coast explodes and 11 workers were missing.For more news on BP Safety:The oil rig explosion story here.Other recent BP incidents here:BP Kwinana Safety questioned here and here.Kwinana Industry (including BP) emergency concerns here.An appauling record of safety problems for BP

Erin Brockovich takes on Cockburn Cement

2010-04-19T16:22:00.005+08:00

In her fourth case in this state (and I am sure there will be many more) Erin Brockovich is set to take on Cockburn Cement for long suffering local residents...Article from the Sunday Times. Click on image to enlargeCheck out the Cockburn Cement waste oil burning issue including the latest comments here.

Good News Carol

2010-04-15T05:39:00.020+08:00

This response letter from the Mayor of Kwinana, to my conflict of interest letter of last week appeared in this weeks local:Of course the mayor (and perhaps her spin Dr's?) are trying to send the message that I was attacking the education sponsorship program itself ie; negative and against everything. Don't worry I will respond in full to this letter at a later stage. However the response has

Tiwest under fire

2010-04-02T07:48:00.003+08:00

This weeks Kwinana Courier ran two reports on the Tiwest problems.Firstly a worker describes what it is like to be gassed with Chlorine:The Western Construction sub-contractor, who did not want to be named, said he and another colleague were working in area 300 at the site several weeks ago when the alarm sounded for a leak of dangerouschlorine gas.The rigger and a colleague ran from the area

Are we lucky to have the spin?

2010-04-01T07:50:00.008+08:00

Letter published in Sound Telegraph 31-03-10 This comment piece by 'Uncle Les' from Medina on the subject is a classic:"Carol said i`m lucky it must be true I think industry isn`t mucky and the air here doesn`t stink The pollution isn`t harmfull it wouldn`t hurt a fly those clouds are just a bit of wool a floating in the sky The noise i here is in my mind the modelling say`s it`s so and KIC

Tiwest update

2010-03-30T13:33:00.000+08:00

Udate: Pictures of Tiwest Titanium Dioxide emissions added to 'another worker affected at Tiwest' blog."Titanium Dioxide (Ti02) has been listed as an IARC-2B carcinogen. They have proven that ultra fine particles (dust) of Titanium Dioxide causes cancer in animals. Insufficient research has been done on the effects of Ti02 on humans."See past blog posts on Tiwest here (Tiwest search of this

Is it only Steam?

2010-03-30T13:30:00.001+08:00

Some people in this community are upset by this advertisement for BHPbilliton that appeared in our local media some time ago:As can be seen BHPbilliton claim: "when you notice 'smoke' billowing from the refinery, rest assured that it is most likely steam you can see"The claims in the advertisement are not wrong, just misleading to those in the community who don't know any better.Of course there

Breaking News - Tiwest

2010-03-26T15:21:00.005+08:00

2 contract workers at Tiwest Kwinana have been exposed to acid and have been sent to hospital.Apparently many others affected but only minor. Suspect Hydrochloric Acid thus Hydrogen Chloride Gas?

Kwinana Power Station Evacuated After Asbestos Scare

2010-03-24T12:50:00.007+08:00

Workers were yesterday evacuated following an asbestos exposure scare at the Kwinana Power Station.More details can be seen in the media release from Eric Ripper leader of opposition:"Workers evacuated following asbestos contaminationHundreds of workers may have been exposed to deadly asbestos fibres at a Kwinana power station, Labor Leader Eric Ripper said today.“Demolition work at the Kwinana

Another worker affected at Tiwest

2010-03-24T10:55:00.008+08:00

Another incident at Tiwest this morning, with another worker affected and receiving medical treatment.Apparently the plant was shutdown and vented to the emergency stack (which bypasses scrubber systems), when I was there at around 10:35 the gas cloud from emergency stack could clearly be seen leaving the Tiwest boundry.One just can't help but wonder what authorities like worksafe will be saying

Tell it to the sick children Mayor

2010-03-23T09:55:00.007+08:00

Maybe our Mayor should explain to those who have asthma in Kwinana just how lucky they are to live close to the industrial pollution that may have caused that asthma.As stated in yesterdays blog post:"Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said she cannot stress enough how lucky the Kwinana Community was to be in close proximity to the most important industrial area in Western Australia"Interestingly also

I must be lucky to live next to Kwinana Industry

2010-03-22T13:07:00.011+08:00

Because the Kwinana Mayor tells me so..."Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said she cannot stress enough how lucky the Kwinana Community was to be in close proximity to the most important industrial area in Western Australia"Kwinana Industries Council Advertisment in Sound Telegraph 17-03-2010 Oh but wait; what Mayor Adams fails to tell this community is that her husband is Chris Oughton who is

BP Safety still under question

2010-03-22T11:47:00.006+08:00

Another BP refinery in the US has recieved a fine for 'wilful' safety breaches:"USA: BP fined again for 'wilful' safety breachesThe US government safety watchdog has fined British oil giant BP PLC $3 million (£2m), citing safety problems at its Toledo, Ohio, refinery. The move comes just four months after it imposed a record safety penalty on the company over its refinery in Texas (Risks 431).

Cockburn Cement Waste Oil Burning Issue Heats Up

2010-03-19T15:03:00.010+08:00

Locals surrounding Cockburn Cement Limited (CCL), state and federal toxics campaigners like myself and ACE etc, and it seems some local politicians are gearing up to take on Cockburn Cement over its ongoing pollution and plans to burn contaminated waste oil.Cockburn Cement has very long and very poor record of emissions impacting the local community. Along with that we have an equally poor

Tiwest gassed 9 workers yesterday...

2010-03-16T08:24:00.010+08:00

And the authorities still claim there is no iminent risk...What The?CFMEU, CEPU and AMWU meeting this morning at TiwestI attended a union meeting outside Tiwest this morning. Sadly this day and age with the ridiculous IR laws we have in this country, there is not a lot that can be done.How can these workers be expected to rely on authorities like worksafe (who have allegedly been told to go soft

Tiwest gas releases out of control again

2010-03-15T17:06:00.011+08:00

More Toxic Gas Released... Four More People Gassed I some time ago, stated that it was pleasing that Tiwest seemed to be lifting its game in regards to gas releases and gassings...I take it all back as it seems Tiwest Kwinana are once again out of control with numerous releases and gassings over recent months and this morning another 4 workers gassed then another uncontrolled release this

The struggle continues into 2010

2010-01-18T12:08:00.020+08:00

Hello all, My apologies for the long delay in posting a blog, but due to personal issues I had to slow down, and will be intermittently out of action over the next few months but I am so pleased to see that so many of you still come back so often to check this blog even with the long absence between posts. I have been working on how we also need to also change the way we do things to match the

Help keep WA GE free!

2009-08-08T23:05:00.001+08:00

The Western Australian Government is currently reviewing its Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act. WA is the biggest source of non-GE canola in Australia and it is vitally important that the state remains GE free.How to take action? - make a submission to the review:See the Greenpeace True Food Network website for more info and/or:A background paper is available from the Department of

Simulated real-time CO2 emissions, birth & death rates by country

2009-08-08T22:38:00.007+08:00

An interesting exercise...A visual real-time simulation that displays the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, birth rates, and death rates of every country in the world.Breathing Earth Net

BHPbilliton Asbestos Risk

2009-08-06T00:01:00.004+08:00

One could be forgiven for thinking that these pictures are from a industrial operation in a 3rd world country or an abandoned operation in outback Australia - No, the pictures are of BHPbilliton Kwinana Nickel Refinery the worlds 3rd largest producer of Nickel.In 2004 this shed was declared a no go zone because of the danger, all these years later and despite complaints from members of the

BHP Refuses to release spill information

2009-08-05T08:12:00.014+08:00

Nearly a year ago BHPbilliton killed about 14 native trees and caused other environmental damage when the Kwinana Nickel Refinery line to the Baldivis ponds ruptured.Since then we have frequently asked BHP for a copy of the report on the incident. BHP simply ignored our requests until early June when I brought the issue up again at a EIP meeting, BHP then promised we would have an answer in

People from Kwinana also involved in US lawsuit

2009-06-18T18:39:00.005+08:00

It should be pointed out that the 240 plantiffs involved in the US lawsuit against Alcoa are not only people from Wagerup but also include some of those allegedly affected by Kwinana and Pinjarra Refineries.I do not understand why this continues to be kept out of the public?Maybe someone can elighten me?

WA residents file massive US lawsuit against Alcoa

2009-06-12T14:37:00.008+08:00

As per the email alert I sent out the night before last, this is big news:"RESIDENTS living near Alcoa's Wagerup alumina refinery have filed a massive US lawsuit - led by health crusader Erin Brockovich."See the story on TribLive, Perthnow, theWest, The Australian law firm involved are Shine Lawyers here.Update 13-06-09:Alcoa deceived locals from the start, US writ alleges:"Lawyer William

Perfluorochemicals in Biosolids

2009-06-10T01:44:00.004+08:00

Are perfluorochemicals widespread in biosolids?"“We are finding that, for perfluorochemicals, they are showing up where we didn’t expect them to be. The levels vary, but these seem to be universal chemicals that are showing up everywhere,” Hora adds. EPA recently completed a survey of organic contaminants in sludge but did not measure perfluorochemicals. “When the study started, we

Who said a leopard can't change its spots

2009-06-09T23:26:00.004+08:00

Well, after publishing this blog post about the Kwinana Child Health Study, this blog post about Kwinana air monitoring cuts, this blog post asking whether our Premier is a hypocrite , various media releases and articles, heated discussions at community-industry forums and becoming more and more depressed over the state of air monitoring in Kwinana and the effort we seemed to have had put into

Ok I know...

2009-06-09T22:39:00.006+08:00

I shouldn't make a whole blog post out of a comment on a previous blog but I just couldn't resist this classic about the industrial noise issue:"how close are ya to this place? i drive past it about midnight every night to goto work and i cant hear them... and i had to look on google maps and parmelia is ages away. and seriously doubt they can hear the place from there.are ya sure its not

Transforming the Corporation

2009-06-05T00:05:00.007+08:00

An interesting read Michael Moore's Goodbye GM;"At the deathbed of General Motors, I find myself filled with—dare I say it—joy. Here are my nine suggestions for transforming the company"Read the story here.(Thanks Jane)

More Mass Bird Deaths in Cockburn

2009-05-30T13:45:00.008+08:00

The DEC are investigating mass bird deaths around the Henderson Landfill (rubbish tip). Over 200 dead birds have been found.Unlike the previous Sea Gull deaths, a range of different bird species are affected this time.I will update as further information becomes available.UpDate 1: The story is reported on PerthnowUpdate 2: A Pesticide (Ferithion) poisoned the birds. see ABC news.

Time to End the SMRC disgrace

2009-05-28T10:05:00.006+08:00

This story on Perthnow highlights what we have been saying about SMRC for many years."WA MPs call for heads to roll over stinky waste reportTwo state MPs are calling for heads to roll after a pollution study revealed a Canning Vale composting plant is releasing noxious odours. Riverton MP Dr Mike Nahan and Member for Jandakot Joe Francis are calling for the South Metropolitan Regional Council (

How well did you sleep?

2009-05-20T07:20:00.006+08:00

Noise Is PollutionImagine a neighbour of yours playing music ALL night, or working in their shed ALL night using an electric saw, while you are trying to sleep. What would be done about it? Well if you complained the Police would be around to 1 inform the person to stop producing the noise and 2 if the noise continued would be back to confiscate the equipment producing the noise and 3 if the

Greenwashing and the almighty Spin Machine

2009-05-01T12:12:00.004+08:00

Today I stumbled upon a web site of publications - books and papers by Prof Sharon Beder and I'm glad I did, wow can I relate to a lot of what she says.The web site states that "Sharon has written 10 books, around 150 articles, book chapters and conference papers (many available for download here), as well as designing teaching resources and educational websites". As many of you would know; for

Biowise Stinks

2009-04-30T08:13:00.007+08:00

Biowise is an operation jointly owned by SITA and the WA Government through Water Corporation and composts sewage (Biosolids) from the nearby Kwinana waste water treatment plant.Biowise has been of some concern in the community for many years, however it seems our council in particular the Environmental Health Department have been fully supportive of the operation.During our campaign against the

2009-04-30T08:00:00.000+08:00

Hello All,Yes I have been a slack little blogger for the last month, thank you all those of stayed around waiting for me to get re motivated, and thank you to those of you who reminded me that I should keep the blog going etc.Cheers,Steve

RRC Composting Facility in McLaughlan Rd

2009-03-25T09:50:00.008+09:00

We alerted Windsor Hills Orelia residents to the proposal for the Rivers Regional Council (RRC) to build a composting facility in McLaughlan Road Kwinana some 750 metres from the residential area.A meeting was on held on Monday night to hear the proposal first hand from the proponent. People well and truly expressed their views that this composting facility is not wanted.This community is

Is our Premier a hypocrite?

2009-03-23T15:38:00.011+09:00

Our Premier Colin Barnet in 2004 gave this (below) grievance speech on Kwinana pollution to the parliament.Now Colin Barnett is denying the people of Kwinana justice in knowing what is in the air they breath.MR C.J. BARNETT (Cottesloe - Leader of the Opposition) [9.37 am]: My grievance is to the Minister for the Environment. I imagine that the Minister for the Environment is probably

Health Department Joins In The Campaign To Mislead

2009-03-19T13:12:00.004+09:00

Yes our state Health Department are also once again attempting to mislead this community by claiming "the most recent report indicates there is no increase in cancer above the normal background levels in communities south of the river".What The? Are our health department saying that Kwinana no longer has an excess of cancer higher than Perth on average?Are our health department saying that

DEC Continues To Mislead The Community

2009-03-19T12:49:00.006+09:00

The Department of Environment and Conservation continues to mislead the Kwinana Community over air monitoring of air toxics in the Kwinana Airshed. The DEC has cut the planned monitoring of air toxics in Kwinana by claiming that Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) and Ammonia have been monitored for 2 years and no problem was found therefore no further monitoring is required.Trouble is the DEC

Just who is protecting the community and workers?

2009-02-20T14:15:00.003+09:00

One of the many Smorgan Steel Kwinana FiresJust who is protecting the community and workers? It certainly isn't our Government Authorities/Regulators..As reported in this weeks Sound Telegraph a worker was hospitalised after an industrial accident in at Onesteel (formerly Smorgan Steel) in Kwinana last Thursday. .According to the Telegraph "FESA issued a statement ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY and

Technical Clitch with Poll

2009-02-20T08:50:00.003+09:00

The poll - Is the DEC incompetent, corrupt or both has been removed due to site technical problems. It stopped counting and in the end would not display.It was obvious that most people who voted thought the DEC was both incompetent and corrupt.Maybe we will rerun the poll when the site fixes the glitch?

Kwinana Intermodal

2009-02-20T00:15:00.000+09:00

Cockburn CementWe didn't want it, that doesn't mean someone else should cop it...The government is planning a huge Intermodal freight terminal 3 times the size of Kewdale. The preferred option has recently been released and is open for public comment. As I blogged here, then Government Minister Fran Logan wanted to dump the Intermodal out of his electorate and in between my house and some of the

We have the right to know

2009-02-19T05:11:00.000+09:00

Flare - BP KwinanaFor many years, (well over 15), communities around the Kwinana Industrial area have been calling for an early warning system in Kwinana, to alert residents should something go wrong in any of Kwinana's major hazardous industry that could possibly pose a threat to nearby residents. We recently ignited that call again and here is the story: As reported - 'Call for red alert

DEC culls Kwinana Air Pollution Study

2009-02-18T10:30:00.004+09:00

After sitting on a so-called 'steering committee' for the DEC 's Kwinana air toxics study, allegedly providing advise to the DEC on where to locate monitors and what pollutants of concern are to be monitored, we are now told; Due to DEC funding cuts the measuring of pollutants in the Kwinana airshed will not go ahead as discussed, planned and agreed.The DEC's air toxic study (renamed air quality

DEC found to have failed again and again and again...

2009-02-18T08:43:00.005+09:00

As the Sunday Times reported 'Alcoa let of DEC hook', The state ombudsman found the Department of Environment and Conservation - DEC had failed to properly respond to pollution and health problems in communities near the Wagerup refinery.This is not the first time the DEC which is meant to be WA's environmental policeman has been found to have failed, some that come to mind are Omex, Bellevue,

DEC causes Child Health Study to be postponed

2009-02-18T08:24:00.008+09:00

The Kwinana Children's respiratory health study has been postponed due to DEC not having air monitors available.The study will not now commence in March as planned because the DEC cannot organise air monitoring in time.This is despite the DEC sitting on the steering committee for the study and knowing full well that air monitoring would be an integral part of the study.Also the monitoring will

Bushfire Appeal

2009-02-11T21:30:00.006+09:00

It's not very often you will see me promoting anything to do with a Corporate Industrial Giant, especially one's like Wesfarmers who as I have blogged before don't care that much about me and my family and neighbours...Infact I am usually critical of some 'donations big industry make - because it is usually all about buying support from some of the community... But this is different and these

A nation mourns

2009-02-09T14:05:00.004+09:00

Horrific - is how one blogger described the story. And really what other word best describes Victoria's worst ever bushfires, with a confirmed 126 lives lost and the news that emergency services expect that number will increase to at least 230.It is impossible to aprehend why anyone would delibertely set these fires.I and I am sure many more here feel stunned and helpless, my heart goes out to

Rudd fails on Climate Change

2009-02-07T17:15:00.004+09:00

And the link between bushfires, floods and climate change is?According to this story in the guardian.co.uk, Australian greens senator Bob Brown says "Global warming is predicted to make this sort of event happen 25%, 50% more," he told Sky News. "It's a sobering reminder of the need for this nation and the whole world to act and put at a priority our need to tackle climate change."So what are

How toxic is the air at our schools?

2009-02-07T16:28:00.011+09:00