The principal of a Dianella school is leading opposition to plans for a poisonous waste dump just metres from classrooms, warning it could harm children.
St Andrew’s Grammar School head Craig Monaghan found out only by chance about the proposal to change the use of a former landfill site to allow “industry noxious” solid waste — including asbestos — to be dumped.
“Our biggest objection is the potential harm it may cause to the children of our school,” he wrote in the school’s newsletter.
Mr Monaghan has started an online petition, lobbied the government and strongly urged parents to write letters objecting to the proposal.
“We’re very concerned because as the crow flies, it’s 580m from the school fields,” he told The West. “I cannot believe it’s got to a point where it’s even being considered. We were not even contacted by the authorities, which is even more appalling.”
The principal warned that if the operation went ahead, there were risks of exposure to asbestos, heavy metals and hazardous substances, which could lead to serious health problems for residents and students.
“We do not want to run any risk associated with dust particles from waste materials floating down Alexander Drive into our classrooms or onto our school oval,” he said.
St Andrew’s has around 750 students from kindergarten to Year 12 and 142 staff. The Hellenic Community of WA aged care facility — home to nearly 100 residents and 108 staff — is also nearby.
Brajkovich Landfill & Recycling has filed a development application with the City of Stirling to change the use of a site at 501 Alexander Drive, Mirrabooka, to a solid waste depot that would allow stockpiling and sorting of waste materials, including asbestos.
The City of Stirling received more than 250 submissions about the proposal. While it does not support the project, it is not authorised to make the final decision.
At a meeting last week, councillors decided to write to Planning Minister John Carey to highlight the “inappropriateness” of the proposed development.
A State Government spokesman said the matter had been referred to the WA Planning Commission, which was an independent body, so Mr Carey had no role in the process.
In its interim response, the City cited health concerns for local residents and that the proposed use did not comply with the land’s current zoning for parks and recreation.
While the City noted the applicant had included dust and asbestos management plans, it had identified “inconsistencies” between them that should be amended so “potential risk factors” could be assessed.
Chetna, a parent of a Year 9 student at the school who did not want her last name published, said she feared the possible long-term effects on water and air quality.
“It’s just too close to the school and the aged care facility,” she said. “They are both vulnerable groups of people, the elderly and children, so I just don’t think it’s fair to choose that particular site for this project.”
Elham, who lives in the affected area and has two daughters aged 12 and 9 at St Andrew’s, said she was most concerned about the possibility of children breathing in toxic fumes.
Brajkovich Landfill & Recycling was approached for comment.