Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has launched a broadside on the State Government over its failure to answer Questions On Notice regarding the former St Ives Vegetation Tip site off Mona Vale Road.

“In a classic case of responsibility avoidance, the same questions asked of two Ministers were referred to each other, leaving no answers at all!” Mr O’Dea said.

“This is not the first time I have asked questions of Government Ministers, only to have each Minister refer the same questions back to the other!” Mr O’Dea said.

“The questions concerned the former St Ives Vegetation Tip site. They are important to those who care about the environment and especially those with an interest in the Middle Harbour Creek system.

“The questions were prompted by a query from Councillor Tony Hall and follow:

• How often has the pumping station, which collects leachate effluent from the tip and returns it to ponds above the site, broken down in the last five years?
• What monitoring is in place to ensure effluent from the site is not leaching into the Middle Harbour headwaters catchment, particularly when the pump breaks down and during heavy rain periods?
• Is there any evidence that the leachate has bypassed the pumping station and entered into the Middle Harbour Creek system?
• What measures are in place to ensure the leachate does not enter the system?
• What controls are in place to ensure the holding ponds at the site do not become a breading ground for mosquitos?
• Has approval ever been granted by the Government for the excavation works on the site which now contains the former vegetation tip?
• Are there plans to connect the area to Sydney Water’s sewer system?

·         If not, why not, given the potential for leachate to enter the Middle Harbour headwaters catchment? 

“At best, the Government’s failure to answer the questions is a demonstration of incompetence and accountability. At worst, it raises concerns over a possible cover up,” Mr O’Dea said.

I will re-ask the questions next week, this time of the Premier, and await the answers,” Mr O’Dea concluded.