A northern suburbs councillor has called for patience as an investigation into possible chemical contamination at a property in Helensburgh unfolds.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Liberal councillor Leigh Colacino said he, like other councillors, had heard from residents who were concerned their health had been negatively affected after a “putrid odour” was detected at the site.
However, he said it was important not to jump to conclusions until a full investigation into the site – including soil testing – was completed.
“There was talk about a cancer cluster in Helensburgh some years ago, in one of the newer subdivisions, which proved to be false: it wasn’t a cancer cluster, there were people who had cancer which is a different thing,” Cr Colacino said.
“I do understand: my family is also going through the horror of a family member being diagnosed with cancer. But it’s important to remember that in our society now, one in two people get cancer.”
He said he was pleased the council had ordered an investigation into the soil, but said he would not react to various health or even contamination possibilities until those results were known.
“There are young couples who have bought into that area in the last few months; why should they be freaking out that they might have made a mistake,” Cr Colacino said.
“We want to reassure those residents that everything that can be done and should be done is happening to make sure they can feel comfortable with their future. I am not happy that we’re in this situation where people do feel uncomfortable.”
Residents first raised their recent concerns with Helensburgh councillor Greg Petty in late February.
Cr Petty said he had spoken to seven families who were worried about health issues and believed “much more investigation and research needs to be undertaken of council records [and] processes”.
He also said he supported the use of a contamination register to track properties across the city.
“Council needs to act quickly to prevent further families being affected – in the short time since I accompanied a senior manager to site, the response appears swift,” he said.
“I hope to continue to support these families as their direct interface to Council.”
Like Cr Colacino, Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery moved to quell panic about the building site, and said it was important not to jump to conclusions.
“We have to be extremely careful in drawing conclusions,” he said. “That’s not to say there is no urgency about this, I want it addressed and people’s fears to be addressed.”
“We need to get the facts and the evidence instead of encouraging people to link things which may or may not be linked.”
“The council has no other option but to be transparent in this, and I will make sure we are open and frank as we go forward.”
He reiterated the council’s advice that people with health concerns should approach their doctor in the first instance.
“The first port of call is always the local GP who feeds in statistics to NSW Health, and that’s where any abnormalities should be picked up.”