The Greens are calling for testing of more former industrial sites in South Australia for toxic pollution.
The residents of three streets at Clovelly Park in Adelaide’s southern suburbs are to be moved out because of a carcinogenic substance detected in air, water and soil.
The industrial solvent trichloroethylene (TCE) was used decades ago in the area by automotive firm Monroe Australia.
Greens leader Mark Parnell says authorities only test sites if a complaint is made or when land is sold.
He says sites which once were service stations, chemical works or tanneries should be tested more often.
“The first thing the Government needs to do is stop slashing spending on environmental agencies because these agencies are the ones that are our front-line of defence,” he said.
“They’re the ones who are out there protecting the environment and protecting us from pollution.
“If the government keeps cutting their funding, we’re going to get more and more nasty surprises.”
Tenants get priority for new homes
About 30 people in the 25 public housing properties affected at Clovelly Park will be moved over the next few months.
Danielle Bament from Housing SA says the tenants will get priority for new housing over the next six months if they want to move.
“It’s not possible to give a total cost [for relocation], it depends upon the individual costs of each tenant that is to be relocated so we cover costs of removalists and setting up utilities and mail and things like that, so it really depends on each individual,” she said.
Only some of the houses in the affected area have been checked indoors for toxic vapours and authorities now are checking another 14.
Environment Minister Ian Hunter says the Environment Protection Authority is checking the spread of contamination.
“Testing that has been done has shown a marked drop-off in TCE from areas closer to the point where we believe the contamination may have originated,” he said.
Any residents worried about their health are being offered checks paid for by the Government.
SA Health has said detected levels of the industrial solvent are about 1,000 times lower than those allowed in workplaces.