The impact of pollution released through the clean up of contaminated sites is an increasing concern to citizens in WA with a marked increase in the number of calls for advice and advocacy received by ACE particularly from those communities that are in close proximity to such clean ups.
The liberation of contaminated dust at a contaminated site remediation poses a significant public health risk to workers and communities during earthworks, dredging, mixing and whilst loading and unloading of transport vehicles.
Specific public health protection standards are needed to ensure that workers, and citizens living and working close to the site are not exposed to pollution impacts. Adequate and reliable air monitors and timely analysis are needed to comply with government requirements to ensure OH&S, public health and the environment is effectively protected.
Without equitable and proactive community engagement, the success of a contaminated.site remediation is diminished. Local knowledge of sensitive receptors (both human and environmental) provide essential data to inform the whole project and alert stakeholders to potential adverse impacts that may be averted or lessened.
The costs of adequate monitoring and compliance requirements at a contaminated site remediation must be met whether it is by publicly funded or developer-driven cleanups.
As children and other vulnerable sub-populations are more at risk from pollution impacts, the scientific integrity of investigative and remediation reports may require specialised third party scrutiny. Both government and industry need to assist the community to be an equal and active stakeholder and therefore provisions for technical assistance grants need to be available.
