State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, has called on the Minister for Transport and Roads to ensure that the Wallsend electorate will not be used as the dumping ground for Sydney’s toxic waste, after it was revealed yesterday that thousands of tonnes of sludge from Middle Harbour would be transported to Newcastle for disposal.
Ms Hornery’s office fielded calls and emails from local residents yesterday, concerned that toxic waste, which includes lead, mercury, silver, zinc and PFAS contaminated sludge, would be trucked to one of two sites in the Wallsend electorate.
Residents, in particular, are concerned at the proposal for disposal at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre at Wallsend, with the trucks carrying the contaminated waste having to pass local schools and early childhood centres.
Residents are also concerned at the increase in heavy vehicle movements along an already congested road through Wallsend.
“The residents of the Wallsend electorate want answers,” Ms Hornery said.
“There has been no consultation, no information about the plans have been discussed with me or my office, yet we are just expected to accept thousands of tonnes of toxic waste from Sydney.
“We have seen the damage that PFAS has caused to homes and residences across the Hunter.
“Residents are rightly concerned that this waste will mean a large increase in truck movements along suburban streets and a heavily congested Minmi Road, and will see that waste travels past a number of local schools and early childhood learning centres on its way to being dumped locally.
“The Wallsend electorate is not going to be used as the dumping ground for toxic waste from the North Shore of Sydney.
“A more suitable and local solution needs to be found.
“I have written to the Minister and will raise the concerns from local residents with him in Parliament today,” said Ms Hornery.