Opinion Piece
As the debacle over the impact of toxic chemical compound continues to cause havoc in Ayr, Member for Burdekin Dale Last has called for assurances residents will have the chance to have their say during a senate inquiry.
Mr Last said given Ayr’s ongoing battle to rid its water supply of PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) chemical compounds there was no excuse why a full and thorough inquiry would not include a public hearing in the township.
“The announcement of a federal government inquiry into the dangers of PFAS is welcome news but residents in towns like Ayr need assurances that this inquiry will be a boots-on-the-ground approach and that those who want the chance to speak can do so face-to-face,” Mr Last said.
“For years Ayr has been plagued by instances of elevated levels of PFAS which at times has threatened the township’s water security and has rendered a fire station obsolete and in need of relocation.”
“What we have seen recently is a clear indication there needs to be a more thorough understanding about the impact this chemical compound can have and that can’t be achieved without knowledge of how townships like Ayr are impacted.”
Mr Last said for six years the community had largely been kept in the dark by Labor over what had caused PFAS chemicals to leach into the town’s water supply with band-aid solutions and half-baked ideas put forward to alleviate the problem.
“This community has seen just how far the state Labor government have been willing to go to sweep the contamination of a drinking water source under the rug when the webpage hosting the link to the detailed site investigation was updated just days before works are committed to in the budget.
“When you examine the 2023 report by the local council which raised concerns that no QFES investigation into the issue had been made public at the time, you have to question the transparency around this issue,” Mr Last said.
“After years of uncertainty around the water security of their township, Ayr residents deserve the opportunity to have their say about how they have been impacted by the contamination of their drinking water supply.”
Contributed with thanks to Member for Burdekin Dale last.
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