Reports that the contamination of landscaping products has not been resolved , despite the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) knowing about the issue, have triggered questions about why a crackdown on the industry has taken so long.
Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment Sue Higginson said "This issue was identified in 2013 and 2019, and the EPA was investigating further non-compliance in 2023 and earlier this year - so why has it taken till August for action to be taken?"
"These recycled materials are being distributed to sensitive areas in the community, and are being sold directly to backyard gardeners from retail stores too. Considering how widespread this asbestos contaminated material is being spread, it's hard to fathom why action hasn't been taken sooner,"
"The decision to not disclose the facilities and companies that have failed to prevent contamination in their products is not in the public interest and means that Councils, retailers and members of the community cannot take steps to protect themselves from buying products that might still be dangerous,"
"I welcome the announcement of a firm regulatory response and the ordered disposal of 600 tonnes of potentially contaminated soil material is a positive step, but it has come too late and too slow for people and entities that use these materials in playgrounds, health facilities and in suburban back yards,"
"I will be calling for the release of documents associated with the facilities investigated by the EPA, and will be putting questions to the Government about how and why this information was not produced sooner. We need answers about why the regulatory crackdown has been delayed when this issue has been known about for over a decade,"
"The failure of this industry has massive consequences for our community and the environment. It is difficult to see how this issue has been allowed to carry on for so long, we will be getting to the bottom of this issue one way or another," Ms Higginson said.
