After months of pressure and advocacy, we have secured a parliamentary inquiry into the impact of the Western Harbour Tunnel.
The inquiry will investigate a range of issues with the project including the inadequate business case, cost overruns, and the total failure of the government to properly consider alternatives like public transport.
Importantly, we’ve successfully lobbied to have the impact on Yurulbin Point and Dawn Fraser Baths examined by this inquiry as well.
We have also pushed for the environmental impact of the project to be included in the scope - a first for an inquiry like this.
As you know, I have been working with environmental experts for over a year to expose the potential for massive harbour pollution when this project dredges toxic sediment up from the harbour floor. This has included coverage in the Sydney Morning Herald, see here.
The government’s own figures estimate they will need to dredge over 142,500 cubic metres of toxic, contaminated sediment.
The sediment contains chemicals including dioxins - carcinogens that can cause birth defects - along with hydrocarbons, tributylin, polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides, heavy metals and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS).
Given the proximity of this dredging to Dawn Fraser Baths, it poses a serious risk to the safety of our local pool.
Submissions are open until 18 June 2021, please make a submission here.
