Every year since November 2010 I have received an Abatement Notice from West Coast Council advising me that I must cut and remove the grass at my property in Murchison Street, Rosebery as it poses a fire risk.
If I do not cut the grass, Council will arrange contractors to cut the grass and then bill me $474.50 for one hour’s work. Previously I have raised Occupational Health and Safety – OH&S – issues in relation to Council work carried out on properties which have high levels of toxic arsenic, lead, zinc etc deposited from MMG Rosebery mine’s increasing emissions.
Kay Seltitzas said:
“As a former Rosebery resident who was diagnosed with heavy metal poisoning as a result of toxic emissions from MMG’s Rosebery mine I have serious concerns about OH&S. The last time Council arranged for contractors to cut the grass on my property the workers were wearing shorts, had no dust masks on and failed to remove the grass that they cut. I cannot allow any worker onto my property unless they are properly equipped and trained to work in this contaminated environment.
“The toxic metal dust emissions from MMG Rosebery mine pose a serious health risk to residents and workers alike. Rosebery is not a safe place for people to live, especially the most vulnerable – children, the sick and the elderly.
“It is a breach of basic OH&S principles for Council to contract any person to conduct this work on my residential property from which I have evacuated and I will not pay for this work to be done under these or any other circumstances ” said Kay Seltitzas.
