Burswood: Trust at ‘rock bottom’ as Environmental Protection Authority opts not to investigate noise concerns

The State’s environmental watchdog has defied almost 1000 public submissions and opted not to investigate the controversial Burswood race track project. The decision was welcomed by Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, who accused the project’s critics of launching “grubby” personal attacks against her. But the Opposition accused the Government of hiding from scrutiny, while residents opposed to the project called the Environmental Protection Authority’s decision “outrageous”. “Our trust in government is at rock bottom,” said Save Burswood Park Alliance co-chairwoman Robin Harvey. “The EPA has not met its obligations, which are to protect the environment and to prevent, control and abate pollution and environmental harm.” The EPA said 877 out of the 953 comments received during a seven-day period supported a formal assessment, but it determined the potential noise impact is likely to be “localised, intermittent and short.” “We recognise the community’s concerns but are comfortable that there are other regulatory mechanisms in place to address potential issues,” said EPA chairman Darren Walsh. He also found the proximity to existing entertainment venues reduced the issue of noise, and said environmental concerns over the removal of three artificial ponds can be safely managed. “We understand that prior to and during the draining of the artificial ponds, the proponent intends to engage experienced zoologists to safely capture and relocate any fauna present,” Mr Walsh said. The $217 million plan for a race track and amphitheatre was a key election promise, but has been divisive with the Opposition, Greens and the Town of Victoria Park vehemently opposed to the current plan. Ms Saffioti said she was not surprised by the independent EPA’s decision. “It was a landfill, the ponds are contaminated,” she said. The Deputy Premier said the Government is still “finalising” when it will release a summary of the business case for the $217m sport and entertainment precinct, and accused critics of getting too personal. “I’m happy to have a debate about the facts of matters, and always happy to have that debate,” she said. “But when people, to be honest, make some extraordinary claims, use AI images to try and portray something and have personal attacks to local members and to ministers., grubby personal attacks that are sent late at night, attacking people’s family, I’m sorry that is just not a debate that I’m wanting to engage in.” Inside Parliament, she mocked the Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas for not asking her a question. “Too scared . . . too gutless,” Ms Saffioti said. “You had a whole question time”. Outside Parliament, Mr Zempilas repeated his demanded for the full business case to be released. “This Government loves to avoid scrutiny and will go to great lengths and great measures to avoid scrutiny that, frankly, is not good enough,” he said. “They can’t tell us if the final total is $217.5m, because the final planning for the track is still being undertaken. “How can they know the final total, yet not know the final design of the track?” “By saying they don’t know the final design of the track, what they’re really telling us is we are not sure yet whether we need to acquire or buy land from Crown casino or not. Well, if they don’t know that, how can they have a business case? That’s complete secret squirrels.” Mr Zempilas denied fuelling attacks against the Minister, having previously called it “Rita’s race track” and her “Rita Spend-a-lotti”. “Let me be perfectly clear for one moment. I have never said that in my time as an MP,” Mr Zempilas said. “Look, there are people with passionate views on this project, but that doesn’t condone any form of direct social messaging. There’s no place for that.” Greens leader Brad Pettitt said the community was right to feel aggrieved by the EPA’s decision. “The community must be feeling really frustrated and disappointed when you’ve got 1000 people putting in submissions that are thoughtful, actually highlighting really important environmental issues,” he said.