NSW residents 'don't want Canberra's waste'

as posted here

Residents of a town near Tarago in New South Wales are angry contaminated waste from Canberra will be dumped in their local tip.

Around 40,000 tonnes of rubble - possibly containing asbestos - needs to be removed from the building site of the new Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) headquarters on Canberra's Constitution Avenue in Parkes.

Some of that waste will be taken to the landfill at Windellama near Lake George which is licenced to take asbestos.

Taylors Creek Landcare Group president Ruth Corrigan says many residents do not want Canberra's waste.

"People would be absolutely appalled and shocked if something as dangerous as this could be happening without the community having any knowledge of it at all," she said.

"This is going to be site which has to be then locked down in some way forever because the stuff can never be allowed to get out.

"I think the community needs to know that really poisonous stuff and really dangerous stuff is being put into their community tips."

ACT Acting Territory and Municipal Services Minister Katy Gallagher says the contaminated waste could end up in several landfills including some in the Territory.

"I understand now discussions have recommenced with the ACT Government and the Commonwealth Government and again they're speaking to a number of jurisdictions," she said.

"I think there's a lot more to be done in this area and nothing would be agreed to that didn't meant very strict environmental protection standards."

The ACT Greens say they want to know whether the capital has the capacity to bury that amount of hazardous waste.

as posted here