Department of Water and Environmental Regulation rejected application to dump asbestos near homes and schools

A controversial application to dump asbestos at a landfill site near a Dianella school and homes has been rejected by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. In July, the WA Planning Commission gave the green light to an application by Brajkovich Landfill & Recycling to change the use of an existing Mirrabooka landfill site to allow waste to also be sorted and stockpiled there — next to St Andrew’s Grammar School. But after hearing from concerned residents and local governments, the commission added an amendment that no asbestos or hazardous waste materials could be disposed at the site. A separate application had been lodged with DWER seeking approval to bury up to 200,000 tonnes of asbestos at the site each year. Both applications attracted widespread community opposition over concerns that exposure to asbestos and heavy metals could lead to serious health problems for residents and students. On Wednesday, DWER revealed it had refused the application to amend the licence for the landfill site at 501 Alexander Drive, Mirrabooka, to accept material containing asbestos and warned it would take action over any non-compliance. “After careful consideration and a large number of stakeholder submissions, it was decided that the risk of asbestos exposure to nearby sensitive receptors, including residential housing, aged care, and multiple schools, was unacceptable in accordance with DWER’s guideline for risk assessments,” it said in a statement. “Compliance and enforcement of regulated industrial premises with the potential to cause emissions and discharges are a focus under DWER’s compliance and enforcement policy and targeted based on risk. “Given the high level of community concern, proactive inspections of this facility will be undertaken to ensure compliance. “Any non-compliances would be dealt with in accordance with DWER’s compliance and enforcement policy, which could include prosecution and revocation of the existing licence.” St Andrew’s principal Craig Monaghan, who led the campaign, said it showed how a small community could come together to make a real difference. “As a school and wider community we are so very happy that common sense has prevailed,” he said.