Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
BOOLAROO resident James Napper is disgusted with work done on his property that was supposed to reduce lead contamination.
Mr Napper, of Third Street, was among more than 1000 residents to participate in the Lead Abatement Strategy, which the NSW government approved.
Pasminco administrator Ferrier Hodgson conducted the strategy, which did not remove contaminants from most properties.
In comparison, the NSW government ordered contaminants to be removed from the Pasminco site to prepare it for redevelopment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you know more? Want to share your story? Email dpage@fairfaxmedia.com.au
----------------------------------------------------------------------
‘‘This isn’t fair,’’ said Mr Napper, whose property is a short distance from the Pasminco site. Mr Napper said the work on his land was substandard.
‘‘They only did a quarter of the job,’’ he said. ‘‘The way they went about it was ridiculous.’’
Contractors did the work, which involved covering some areas with soil and replacing some grass – but many areas were not touched.
‘‘They didn’t do inside the kids’ cubby [an area with bare soil],’’ he said. ‘‘They didn’t do up the side of my house, under the house, the garden beds, one side of my driveway or an area up the back behind the pool,’’ he said
He was concerned about his two kids – Riley, 2, and Kayla, 4 – being exposed to lead pollution.
Mr Napper could not understand why the work was done when activity on the Pasminco site was stirring up dust.
‘‘When they’ve completed stirring up all the dirt on the site they should do our land again and this time guarantee it’s done properly,’’ he said.
Mr Napper said windows at his house should be replaced because pollution had caused them to be permanently stained.
Ferrier Hodgson director Richard Bastow said the strategy was done in accordance with council and government requirements.
