YRA offered every state candidate for Albert an opportunity to respond to questions of concern to people living/working in Yatala/Ormeau. YRA is demanding strong and unambiguous representation and a commitment from our state representative to ensure that the health & well being of community members are not being compromised. Answers to questions shown below.
Mark Boothman (LNP)
Realising the importance of the quarry green buffers, I lobbied my local government colleague and Deputy Mayor, Cr Donna Gates for her commitment to reinstate the existing quarry green buffers. I am pleased to draw your attention to Cr Gates' newsletter (September 2014), where this has been confirmed.
I understand that this is of a high priority for the members of the YRA and because of that, I have personally raised this matter with my colleague and Minister for Environment, Hon Andrew Powell MP. While I am unable to provide a specific time frame due to caretaker conventions, if re-elected, I will provide you with detailed information.
I commit to continuing my efforts to bring back original industry buffer areas.
I appreciate your concerns to ensure your homes and surrounds remain safe of contaminants. I have personally raised this matter with my colleague and Minister for Environment, Hon Andrew Powell MP. Due to caretaker conventions, he is unable to take immediate action on this testing. In saying that, if re-elected, the Minister and I will work to ensure your ongoing safety.
The LNP State Government has not funded any of this project and I am not aware of any future funding.
Melissa McMahon (Labour)
Jane Cajdler (Greens)
We cannot make this commitment at this time. (I sought further elaboration on this issue specifically and it was that we would like to view each zone on a case by case basis as in some areas this may not have the same impact that it does in Yatala)
Labor has always supported scientific testing and air quality monitors to deal with environmental concerns. The LNP government has cut back staffing in these areas, so before we make a commitment on this issue we need to ensure that the expertise is still there to conduct the necessary testing. (if the staff aren't there now, staffing allocation increase could not occur until a budget was passed for this spending. One of my friends worked in water testing for the Govt until 2012 so I know what the cuts in this area have been like)
We cannot make this commitment at this time.
Refer to previous answer about testing - Labor has always supported scientific testing and air quality monitors to deal with environmental concerns. The LNP government has cut back staffing in these areas, so before we make a commitment on this issue we need to ensure that the expertise is still there to conduct the necessary testing.
We understand that the proposed Yatala biomass plant is 100% privately funded. Hence we can guarantee that no state government funds will be provided to the project.
Amanda Best (Family First)
I commit to re-instate existing quarry green buffers.
I will push for dust monitoring stations to be installed ASAP.
Futhermore, with regard to the operation of exisitng quarries and industries in the Yatala Ormeau area I promise to see that existing regulations (eg: those supposed to restrict dust and odour production) be enforced and to pull up those found to be in breech.
I commit to bringing back industry buffer areas, increased to the level Council has recommended.
I will push for air quality testing to be undertaken, starting ASAP and on-going, monitoring for odours, aerosols and asperfillus fumigatus spores.
Futhermore, with regard to the operation of exisitng quarries and industries in the Yatala Ormeau area I promise ..... (see above)
I commit to not supporting any funding for the Biomass Plant development at Yatala, located as it is between populated suburbs on the western side of the the M1 motorway.
Blair Brewster (Palmer United)
Yes, I support the reinstatement of the 500 metre buffer zones around the quarries.
It is clear from the information you have provided that the installation of a dust monitoring station should occur as soon as possible. If elected, I would push for this to occur as a matter of priority.
I support bringing back the original industry buffer zones as a minimum, with consideration to be given to expanding these if possible.
Yes I give a commitment if elected that I will do everything possible to ensure comprehensive and continuing air testing occurs.
Yes, I will not support government funding being provided to this project at its current proposed location.
Written responses to YRA questions by candidates for Albert
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