Report Summary – Bellevue Fire,
Parliamentary Report, Volume 1
The Report: The Bellevue Hazardous Waste Fire Inquiry - Volume
1, Dec 2001
Produced by the Economics and Industry Standing Committee of the
Western Australian Legislative Assembly.
Presented by Tony McRae, MLA and tabled in parliament on 13 Dec
2001.
The Committe comprises five Members of Parliment, is chaired by
Tony McRae, MLA, and utilised the services of three Research Officers.
The full report and transcripts of evidence can be found at:
select: committees>current>Economics and Industry
Committee>Reports & Evidence>Report No. 1>Report Details
Background to Fire
On 15 Feb 2001, a fire raged through a toxic chemical storage
site in the Perth suburb of Bellevue. The site was operated by the company
Waste Control. Large quantities of a wide range of chemicals were burnt. Many
fire-fighters attended the emergency. A plume of smoke and fire residues impacted on nearby residences. The fire
took two days to be fully extinguished.
Background to Committee
The Economics and Industry Committee was esatblished on 21 May
2001.
It’s charter is to review and report on:
·
the administration of departments within its portfolio
·
annual reports of departments tabled in Parliament
·
the adequacy of legislation and regulations
·
any matters refferred to it
The Bellevue Fire Report (Vol. 1) is the Committee’s first
report.
Background to Inquiry
On 12 June 2001 the Minister for Environment and Health asked
the Economics and Industry Committee to consider conducting an inquiry. On 13
June 2001 the Committee resolved to do so, and set its own Terms of Reference.
Terms of Reference
To report and make recommendations on:
1. the role of government agencies and ministers in:
(a) approving the treatment and storage of waste chemical at the
site
(b) regulating waste treatment at the site, including monitoring
and enforcement measures
2. the nature and quantities of non-compliant materials stored
at the site
3. the response of government agencies to the incident and
the post-crisis management
4. the regulation, storage and disposal of hazardous waste in
WA, the extent of past and current operations and alternatives available
5. any other matters deemed relevant by the Committee
Cause of Fire
The Terms of Reference did not include the task of identifying
the cause of the fire. Item 5 does allow for "any other matters".
A short section of the report, 4.8 - CAUSE OF FIRE, discusses
the cause. The Arson Squad of the WA
Police Service investigated but could not establish the cause due to the hazardous
nature of the site preventing a proper examination of the site.
The ferocity of the fire destroyed evidence and the clean-up
activities immediately following the fire removed evidence.
The Committee stated "the cause of fire is unlikely ever to
be determined".
From the Chairperson's Forward:
"Hazardous waste management and fires of this nature
represent a problem for many countries in that modern governments are
confronted with reconciling competing demand for industrial develpment and the
protection of the natural and social environment. There exists no easy solution
to this challenge."
“Volume 2 will report on the approval, operation and regulation
of the Bellevue site, as well as a range of systemic issues relating to hazard
waste management.”
From the Executive Summary
“Volume 1 deals with the fire emergency and the health
concerns.”
“The Committee has given priority in this report to consider the
short and long term health effects on the public and fire-fighters exposed to
the effects of the fire.”
Findings
Finding 1
There exists a degree of understandable concern amongst some
members of the community and fire-fighters regarding potential health impacts
associated with the emergency.
Finding 2
There exists a low prabability of medical effects to the
fire-fighters and residents exposed to the fire or plume.
Recommendation
That the Health Department of WA develops, implements and
maintains a medical register of individuals who were exposed to the effects of
the fire emergency.
Direction
The Committee directs the Minister for Health to respond to the
Committee's report. Parliamentary rules require that this be within three
months.
Forthcoming Actions
1. The minister is to respond to Parliament.
2. The Committee’s Volume 2, examining regulatory matters, to be
published.
John O’Meara
Ver 1.0
28 Mar 2002