East Narangba Community Action Group

GPO Box 89
Kallangur 4503
Ph. 3888 5287 Fax 3888 8218

Promoting a Better Environment for Our Families
and Future Generations

1st August 2006.

MEDIA STATEMENT

“Incompetence personified; that’s the only way I can describe what is happening in the Narangba Industrial Estate” says Fran Jell of the chemical spill that happened in the estate today. “The Police Report says a 44 gallon drum of a flammable liquid Class 3 dangerous goods was pierced by the fork lift which was unloading the truck. There was no evidence of a Spills response kit at the site of the unloading.”

She went on to say “Wildcat Chemicals feel that they are hard done by because State Development wrote to them and advised them that they had to cease all extensions to their business immediately. They should never been allowed to build a chemical plant on the banks of this creek – the same creek destroyed by the Binary Fire”. Interestingly council approval of Wild Cat’s development application is in doubt if delivery vehicles must be unloaded in the street outside, which is direct contravention of the Building Code of Australia for vehicle access. This is why we are struggling to comprehend the reasons why the Caboolture Shire Council has permitted the land use and buildings for this site.

“Given the above I was very disappointed that State Development has not moved quicker to try to re-establish the 4 chemical businesses that are situated on this creek.” The Queensland Labor Government is obviously not committed to Ecologically Sustainable Development that was first introduced by Labor Prime Minister, Bob Hawke.

Today’s spill has just angered the community and reaffirmed the bases of their fears. All the promises seem to be just a way of placating the community in the hopes that they will go away and not keep a watch on this estate. Unfortunately the smells have been so bad the Community has been keeping a tighter watch on this estate than they ever did. The community are not fooled by the self promotional literature distributed by some businesses and DSD

Government have been very quick to amend the Acquisition of Land Act when it suited them. They have been quick to amend section 57 of the Queensland Criminal Code to allow them to LIE in parliament. They were not backward in passing the Narangba Industrial Estate Roads Regulation to establish Narangba Industrial Estate which otherwise would have been illegal. One must wonder why, when looking down both barrels of a multi million dollar law suit the best defence they offer is procrastination.

ENCAG spokes woman Fran Jell today called for the immediate closure of all industries who have been and still are polluting the environment in this estate. No more ifs and buts it must happen immediately – we found contaminants in cakes and closed Tip Top cakes immediately – well we are still see polluting in this estate so enough is enough – THESE BUSINESSES MUST BE CLOSED IMMEDIATELY.
“The community takes this spill, even though small – 50 litres of a flammable chemical (Class 3 Dangerous Goods) as a sign that no one is listening to us. Wildcat Chemicals should never have been licensed when they have to load and unload trucks on the road.” says Fran Jell.

Further information phone Fran on 0403 573 038 or 3888 5287.