Greens formally demand independent soil testing of Leonora to Fremantle line

The Greens have today demanded that the State Government expand its proposed independent tests of lead shipping containers currently at Fremantle Port, and perform testing at various points along the Leonora to Fremantle train line as well.

Greens Transport spokesperson Alison Xamon MLC issued the written demand earlier today.

“We welcome the announcement that the State Government will do its own testing of the shipping containers currently at the Fremantle Port,” said Alison Xamon MLC.

“But the implicit assumption of those tests is that Magellan Metals’ own testing regime can not be relied upon.”

“The Greens share these concerns, and therefore we have demanded earlier today that the State Government expand those independent tests down the train line from Fremantle back to Leonora, where the ore was first placed on rail.”

Ms Xamon said that while the company had done its own soil testing at various points along that line, recent events show that those results cannot necessarily be relied on.

“We are dealing with a company with an unenviable record when it comes to compliance with appropriate environmental and safety laws.”

“That means the State Government has been left with little choice other than to gather its own compliance information – but it is now the taxpayer who is left to foot the bill when perhaps the costs of compliance and monitoring should really be borne by the company responsible.”

“Until we have independent testing all along the export train line, all the residents of eastern and southern Perth who are near that Midland to Kwinana line are entitled to be concerned about possible lead dust contamination,” Ms Xamon concluded.