A Letter To David Bartlett

Philip J. Tattersall

While we do not wish to be seen as alarmist, there continue to be a number of lingering concerns in relation to the incidence of a range of illnesses that have developed over many years in the vicinity of the old refuse disposal site at Wentworth Park, Howrah.

And: Call for community input

Since the release of the Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Recreation and the Arts, report “Waste Disposal” (September 1994) concerns and indeed incidents in and around former waste disposal sites have not abated. Tasmania has had its fair share of problems over a period of many years too. The recent developments in Victoria have further highlighted concerns about the long term integrity and safety of ‘rehabilitated’ landfill sites, particularly those located in populated areas.

In May 2003 “ABC Stateline” ran a story on potential contamination from the former tip site at Wentworth Park. Following community concern, the DPIW commissioned the URS study into the site. That study, conducted in 2004 looked at soil, ground water and gas emission from the old tip area (where a sport ground and housing are now located). An expert review (The Craven Report, conducted 2005) of the URS report (commissioned by Poppy Lopatniuk) has raised a number of questions and has led to the formation of a community based inquiry team (a working group within the Tasmanian Community Resource Auditors Inc.) to look into several issues and questions. Our inquiry team includes a medical doctor, chemist and soil scientist, citizen advocates, and we have team members located in America and Europe.

One point of concern with the URS study is the selection of sample sites during the study. It is possible that ‘hot spots’ of toxicity may have been missed. When our team walked the site recently we were not able to locate sampling sites from the URS maps. Therefore any opportunity to conduct follow up community audits and sampling runs would be difficult.

The Craven Report also highlighted the need for a thorough epidemiological study, something we understand is still outstanding. The types and nature of past cancers, allergies and other illness in the area have also raised concerns. A catalogue of cases of deaths from a range of illnesses, including cancers, and auto-immune diseases going back many years and affecting people including those younger than 50 years old have been meticulously documented by a former resident. Further analysis of this data will take place.

The Department of Health has concluded that the incidence of cancers in the housing areas adjacent to the old tip site is not significantly different from those seen in the wider population. However, a careful review of their own report has revealed more questions and what appear to be contradictions.

There is also concern that the statistical approach used by the Department may be unable to capture the detail required to draw meaningful conclusions at the scale of streets and residences. We do not believe that the old tip site has been totally excluded as a possible cause of the cancers and other illnesses seen in past years. In short, there appear to be
gaps in the science and reasoning that led to the official declaration that the site has a ‘clean bill of health’. I hasten to add that our review of the departmental reports has not been completed and therefore that above comments should be seen as directions for further inquiry as distinct from conclusions as such.

We intend to use forensic-type techniques to examine various materials in order to determine whether there is evidence of materials that could have been deposited in and around homes from the former tip site when it was operating. These and other materials may be subjected to toxicity testing.

Members of the expert team have also raised concerns relating to governance and citizens rights in relation to the manner in which certain members of the public have be treated when bringing their concerns forward. Again these are matters for which answers will be sought. Our inquiry is currently in Stage 1, which is reconnaissance and background. We have a further 3 stages to go, which could involve fresh sampling of soil, water and gas, sinking of new test holes and toxicity testing of selected materials from the site. The wider community needs to be reassured that we are working responsibly and intend to undertake a highly professional, in depth inquiry that is truly independent.

Our question to your Ministers relates to the sampling sites initially set up by URS in 2004. Our understanding is that the DPIW was to revisit certain sampling sites to take samples on an annual basis. Could you please supply us with the results of those tests? We would also appreciate information on the locations of the bore holes sites established by URS
in 2004. Our recent on-ground survey (during which we referred to the URS maps) failed to locate them.

Yours sincerely,

Philip J. Tattersall, Inquiry Team Co-ordinator

Tasmanian Community Resource Auditors Inc.

CALL FOR COMMUNITY INPUT

The Tasmanian Community resource Auditors Inc. has commissioned an inquiry into certain matters relating to the former tip site at Wentworth Park, Howrah.

Our inquiry team is conducting an inquiry into possible illnesses related to the former waste disposal site at what is the now Wentworth Park and surrounding residential areas. We are keen to learn of any people who used to be or are residents around Wentworth Park, between 1960 until the present time, who may have developed cancers, tumours and auto-immune diseases including diabetes and thyroid problems, allergies and asthma.

We will deal with each case in a confidential manner and are compiling a dossier on illnesses, related to the area over a certain time.

Please contact us, ensuring your own contact details –address, phone number etc – are included, at:

The Inquiry Team Coordinator, PO Box 360, Scottsdale Tasmania 7260, Or email [email protected]