MEDIA RELEASE
4 September, 2001

SEATON TAKES CANADA BAY CONCERNS TO PARLIAMENT

Shadow Environment Minister Peta Seaton spoke up in Parliament today for the residents of Canada Bay who have been abandoned by the Carr Government on environment fears in the Rhodes Island Peninsula.

In a Notice of Motion, Ms Seaton accused the Carr Government of failing to
implement the promise made in March which would have given residents some say in remediation plans for  toxic soils and sediments in the Rhodes
Peninsula proposed development area.

"I visited the site last week with Councillors Megan Lavender and Michael
Cantali and saw  the area that is causing residents concern," Ms Seaton
said.

"Residents told me that promises made in March this year by state agencies,
including EPA and Health, to convene a local community reference group to
oversee remediation had not been kept.

"The residents are concerned that the Carr Government is keeping technical
details of contamination excavation plans and processes secret as they have
made no effort to meet with members of the local community, and involve
local people and respond to their concerns.

"With more than 3,000 residences planned in the proposed development there are huge concerns about public health that are simply not being addressed by this government.

"Residents have good cause to believe this is potentially one of the worst
contamination sites in Sydney, based on historic records and recent tests.

"Why hasn't the Environment Minister taken the residents' concerns
seriously?" Ms Seaton said.

"He should be the champion of environmental protection instead of hiding
behind the anonymity of Cabinet.

"It's now six months since they were told a local community reference group
that would oversee remediation would be set up, but still nothing has been
forthcoming.

"I'm not surprised the residents are concerned about the lack of response or
action from the Carr Government."

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