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Agriculture Environment and Water | August 27, 2019

Kealy demands immediate action to clean up toxic waste dump

The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy is demanding the Andrews Labor Government direct the EPA to take immediate action and clean up Victoria’s largest ever illegal toxic chemical waste dump near Kaniva.

Fifty million litres of deadly toxic waste has been illegally buried just 60 metres from underground waterways on a farm near Kaniva, positing an enormous threat to the underground water supply, crop contamination and the health of local residents.

Speaking in Parliament, Ms Kealy said it was totally unacceptable that the Government had known about the massive toxic waste dump for a year but had not briefed locals or other government bodies including the West Wimmera Shire Council and Wimmera Catchment Authority.

“This is an absolutely unacceptable situation and the Minister for Environment must accept responsibility for this disgraceful neglect and immediately address what could be a massive environmental disaster for our region,” Ms Kealy said.

“Just because we are far away from Melbourne doesn’t mean we are less important.

“I refuse to accept that our region be treated as the State’s toxic waste dump and demand the Minister steps up now and takes action to clean up this mess before it is too late.

“Labor is delusional if they think the owner of this property, who already has obligations outstanding to clean up another nine additional huge waste dumps in Melbourne, is going to clean up the site.

“I am demanding the Minister takes urgent action and directs the EPA to clean up Victoria’s largest illegal toxic chemic waste dump and tells the local Kaniva community when this will occur.”