Yesterday’s article in the Daily Telegraph that highlighted the environmental problems at the Glenrose Shopping Centre at Belrose was an exercise in overstatement according to Jonathan O’Dea the Member for Davidson.
“I was aware last year of the problems when public meetings were convened by the applicant to discuss latest the Development Application (DA) for the shopping centre,” Mr O’Dea said.
“My recent contact with the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) has confirmed the potential risk from the contamination is low. The groundwater was contaminated by a former dry cleaning business when hydrocarbons entered the water table.
“The last thing the area needs is misinformation whereby present retailers are hurt by the sensationalisation of old or overstated information.
“The DECC says that any risks would mainly relate to the potential extraction of the groundwater and its subsequent uses. However no groundwater extraction has been identified in the area of concern.
“The DECC took ambient air samples and results have found the concentration of the contaminants are well below the World Health Organisation human health guideline limits and did not exceed Australia OH&S guidelines.
“Stockland Trust (the applicant) will carry out remedial work which will be regulated by the DECC to make sure the remediation will satisfy all parties so the site will be rendered safe for its intended use.
“It appears there is no real threat to human health and the DECC has the matter under its care, which is reassuring to all concerned.
“A review of submissions regarding the latest DA to Warringah Council is currently under way. When the matter goes to IHAP people should have the opportunity to speak to their written submissions.”
For further information, please call Jonathan O’Dea on 0418 241 500.
