Today’s statement from Andrew Lohrey and David Obendorf is disappointing.
I have made every effort to seek information regarding the privately-funded investigations since they were publicly revealed on Australian Story.
Unfortunately, these efforts to date have yielded only scant information, with law firm Slater and Gordon apparently awaiting instructions from their client.
It seems bizarre to me that I am being criticised for endeavouring to provide reliable information to the St Helens community, in the aftermath of a situation where a media program has aroused human health concerns well in advance of any scientific confirmation.
The facts are that the available evidence has not established that St Helens water is actually unsafe for drinking.
Despite that, in conjunction with Ben Lomond Water and Break O’Day Council we have added an activated carbon filter to the St Helens water treatment plant as a precautionary measure.
I have already acted on the premise that the matters raised on Australian Story require further scientific investigation and that is why I recommended an independent scientific panel be established by the Chair of the Environment Protection Authority, John Ramsay.
That panel has now been appointed, with five eminent independent scientists.
We will not be able to progress this matter until the independent scientists have concluded their review and reported their findings. It is expected an interim report will be available next month.
In the meantime, I am concerned that the continued raising of this issue in a political way in the public arena is helping no one and could even be damaging to health and wellbeing in the community.
There is no doubt that this issue has caused a great deal of anxiety for many people in the community.
What they need are answers, not personal attacks and I ask people to be patient and wait for the expert scientific panel to complete its work.
I also encourage people to get the latest information from our website www.dhhs.tas.gov.au.
