Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I, and also on behalf of Senator Mark Bishop, Senator Chris Evans, Senator Sterle, Senator Webber and Senator Murray, move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes:

(i)

that on 15 August 2006 the Minister for Transport and Regional Services approved a major brickworks on Commonwealth land at Perth Airport,

(ii)

that non-aeronautical development at Perth Airport is currently exempt from state and local planning laws,

(iii)

that there is evidence that the Swan Valley air-shed already contains concentrations of acid gases from existing brickworks which are impacting on the health of surrounding residents,

(iv)

the concern of local councils, businesses, residents and the State Government about the adverse effects of this development on their communities and health,

(v)

that the Environmental Assessment Report tendered by the Department of the Environment and Heritage identifies serious deficiencies in the BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd proposal, and

(vi)

the slipshod approach the Minister for Transport and Regional Services has taken to the exercise of his sole power of control on airport planning; and

(b)

calls for:

(i)

a comprehensive assessment of airborne pollution in the Swan Valley air-shed and the impact of this pollution on the health of local residents prior to any commencement of work on the brickworks, and

(ii)

the proponent to be required to address the serious deficiencies in the proposal, as identified by the Department of the Environment and Heritage.

Question put.