Interview With Tony McRae On The RRRC Waste Composting Facility Odour Issue...
Tony McRae
Member for Riverton24 August 2008
Question 1. In the local leaflet for the Labor Party for Riverton the RRRC WCF odour wasn't mentioned. Why is that?
Tony: Arguing for a better performance from the RRRC has been a part of my work for the past 4 years - I have made numerous comments on the public record about this facility and last year called for it to comply with its operating licence conditions or be shut down or moved. This is posted on my web page (www.tonymcrae.com)
Question 2. Residents have been requesting the RRRC Waste Composting Facility be shut down and relocated year after year. Why hasn't the State Govt taken action and carried out the required fines and so forth on the facility and moved it far away from any residents?
Tony: There are competing interests and desires relating to waste. We need a high technology, waste management plant to deal with household waste and reduce landfill and emissions. Unfortunately, after years of operation and continuing additional investment, it is apparent to me that this facility cannot successfully operate on this site with this technology. Getting the law and enforcement agencies to this same position takes a bit longer and requires a large body of independent and objective evidence to substantiate this view. I hope the studies and reports now underway provide a basis for the next steps in controlling this plant.
Question 3. If you were re-elected would you ensure that the RRRC WCF was shut down? If so how soon after being re-elected?
Tony: I can't make this statement - the Member for Riverton doesn't have this power regardless of whether it is me or someone else. It will require the process I've outlined in (2) above to move towards a shotdown/removal of this plant. The best outcome would be for the owners - the SMRC - to take this decision without being forced to it by regulating agencies.
Question 4. There's been some confusion as to whether it was your decision when you were Minister for Environment to shut the RRRC Waste Composting Facility? What it your decision, Tony?
Tony: Enforcement is the responsibility of the Department for the Environment and Conservation. When presented with a Departmental report that showed breaches of the RRRC operating conditions, I told the Department that they should and must enforce the law. The Department then took the decision to shut down the RRRC and issue improvement notices.
Question 5. How do you feel about the fact that the RRRC Waste Composting Facility has continued to emit it's noxious odour on residents for nearly five years?
Tony: Very sorry for the residents who have had to endure this stink and sorry that the plant hasn't been able to meet its operating standards.
Question 6. Tony, residents have complained of similar symptoms when experiencing the odour including: blood noses, severe skin irritation, burning and running eyes and nose, throat irritation, migraines and headaches... and their pets also suffering from terrible skin and inhalant allergies. Residents feel this is beyond a coincidence. What action are you committing to carrying out in regards to the potential health risks, short and long term, if you are re-elected.
Tony: As far as I understand it, the question of public health risks resulting from the RRRC's poor operating standrards is still the subject of invesitgation by the Department of Health. There are a range of obligations and liabilities for the Government, the City of Canning, the SMRC and member Councils that might arise if those studies were to find that there is an associated health problem or risk arising from the RRRC. That would determine my action and I would behave as I have always done on this issue - on the side of residents.
Question 7. There's been talk of a class action law suit in regards to the odour being emitted from the RRRC Waste Composting Facility. Do you think it's fair that residents should have to resort to this when the state govt and local councils should've stepped in?
Tony: Without being in any way flippant, there are a lot of things that are not fair. That's why we have courts and democratic processes to allow a correction to unfair or reckless behaviour or actions.
Question 8. Tony, what's the top 5 to 10 steps of action you will be focusing on in regards to the RRRC Waste Composting Facility's odour if re-elected? And what will be the time frame for which you will be aiming for each of them?
Tony: I think I've outlined these in answering previous points.
Question 9. What other comments would you like to add to this?
Tony: I am the MP who has consistently stood up against the RRRC and its operators for failing to comply with their operating conditions. I am consistently been on the side of residents seeking to have this problem addressed and assisted the establishement of the community based action group. I was the Minister who told the Dept to enforce the law - including a shutdown and improvement notices.
This is a problem a long time in the making and it will require a body of material evidence and continued, concerted effort by residents and their representatives to get it fixed. The Liberal Party have no credibility on this issue - they approved its location, they funded its development and their Federal MP supported the RRRC at the last Federal election. The liberal Party's most senior representatives in local government continue to support its ongoing operations at the Canning Vale site.
Voting against me and in favour of the Liberal Party on this issue would be an angry reaction caused by terrible circumstances - it would also ultimately be a self-defeating action.