RAH contaminated soil scandal deepens
Feb 23, 2012
Martin Hamilton-Smith MP
Shadow Minister for Health & Ageing
Shadow Minister for Mental Health
Shadow Minister for Substance Abuse
RAH contaminated soil scandal deepens
Renewed concerns raised about the inappropriate handling of highly contaminated waste removed at the rail yards RAH site must be subject to an independent inquiry.
“There are alarming new indications today that many thousands of tonnes of highly contaminated soil was overlooked during the initial assessment at the site. How is it possible that the quantity of highly contaminated waste has soared from 11,000 tonnes to over 30,000 tonnes?” Shadow Minister for Health Martin Hamilton-Smith said.
“What’s happened to the highly contaminated fill? Health Minister John Hill must account for every tonne of toxic soil. Where is it now located? Was it properly remediated as required by law? Is it now in a safe location? Has there been a cover up?
“The Minister must also verify if chemical stabilization of the additional 20,000 tonnes can occur and has occurred at the contractor’s depot site. Has the company invested in the appropriate infrastructure to properly treat highly contaminated waste as required by contract?
“Has there been any mixing of highly contaminated fill with low level fill or clean fill?
“The EPA has previously confirmed that soil deemed to be clean fill was later found to be contaminated once removed from the site. The hospital builders and their remediation subcontractors have acknowledged this is occurring.
“The role of the EPA and the so-called ‘independent auditor’ employed by the private consortia constructing the hospital must now be examined by this separate independent investigation. Is the hospital site safe?
“How many more millions of dollars will this additional remediation work add to the $12 billion price tag of the rail yard hospital project?
“This is another ongoing Labor Government stuff-up,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.