More answers needed on Hunters Hill uranium site - 26 March 2009

“The Government’s response today to recommendations made by the committee looking into the former uranium site at Hunter's Hill leaves a few stones unturned, “ says Ian Cohen, NSW Greens MLC.

“I commend the Government giving a commitment to a timely implementation of a clean-up plan for the Nelson Parade sites”, says Mr Cohen.

“Whilst I also commend the Government for taking responsibility for the costs associated with the remediation on all affected other properties, I am concerned that the Government’s response only refers to all “readily accessible contamination on private land”. “

“It might be easy to remove contaminated soil from someone’s backyard but what does the government propose to do in the case of the contamination under or throughout buildings or under retaining walls?” says Mr Cohen.

“Other questions I have surround the way testing will be carried out. The report to the Committee on which I sat learned that the equipment used by the Government’s assessors was different to that used by a company engaged by the owners of 11 Nelson Parade. The findings of the privately contracted assessors – who used equipment that gives a more sensitive reading – revealed a higher level of contamination. These assessors stated that their results were by no means an ‘exhaustive characterisation of the radioactive contamination present’.”

“The Government’s response has been to say they will carry out testing with less sensitive equipment and then possibly follow up with more sensitive equipment, depending on the analysis of the findings.”

“I would like to see a stronger commitment from the Government at the outset of this remediation plan to carry out the most exhaustive testing possible on the site using the most sensitive and appropriate equipment, in line with evidence given to the enquiry.”

“The people of Nelson parade need to know that there is to be an end to the concerns that have hung over them these past years and that the very best effort will be undertaken to remediate their neighbourhood.”