Candidate Pledges- Coal Burning in Cockburn
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order in each ward
Central Ward – one Councillor to be elected
Candidate’s Name Withheld by Request
“1. My record on environmental issues has mostly been support from afar for those taking direct action in the protection of flora and fauna across Australia and beyond. In more recent times I have been active against Roe 8 and in the weeding/revegetation of the mess left behind. We have a duty to leave our children and grandchildren a better planet and in single use plastics we have seen a seismic shift in public thinking that I have been delighted to be part of. It is my opinion that we need to do a lot more in terms of coal use reduction, plastics, pesticides, fertilisers and heavy metals, to name a few. More must be done and education of the public is the key, only then will big corporations and government implement change.
My record of activity in pollution abatement is the same as most other family people. We have all learnt over a period the dangers of pollution especially on young forming bodies and brains. I agree with you that continuation of coal burning is putting unnecessary pollution into the air across the City of Cockburn. Further, I agree that the conversion of the plant from coal to gas is a sensible solution to this issue.
Yes I would support what I feel is a sensible motion that City of Cockburn:
(a) declares that air pollution is a health hazard which requires action by Council, and
(b) encourages industry operating in the City not to burn coal and to use lower polluting fuel sources where they are available.”
Star rating – 2
* sufficiently interested in the issue to respond to our enquiry
**sufficiently interested in the issue to support some action by City of Cockburn
Tom Widenbar
“I’m an Environmental Scientist, I have extensive experience in contaminated sites (under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003), air and dust monitoring, groundwater monitoring, and human health impact assessments. I have worked across mining, oil & gas, and waste management. I have technical experience and a working knowledge of the Part IV & V Environmental Protection (EP) act, which is how the EP act is assessed and licensed by the Department or Water and Environment Regulation.
I am happy to speak to any of the technical aspects of the various environmental emissions caused by the operations at CCL, whether they be land filling of fly ash, impacts to groundwater by uncontrolled releases to ground, or the dust and air quality impacts from both the storage and burning of coal (as they do have different impacts and emissions). I believe they are a significant polluter.”
Would you support a motion that City of Cockburn:
(a) declares that air pollution is a health hazard which requires action by Council, and
(b) encourages industry operating in the City not to burn coal and to use lower polluting fuel sources where they are available.
“Yes. I believe the environmental impacts caused by CCL are significant and cause an undue human health hazard, which is purely caused by their burning of coal. As far as I know, there is currently a study underway using panes of glass to analyse the emissions from CCL, and believe this study needs to be reviewed by the appropriate environmental professionals (such as third party consultants or CSIRO), to inform DWER as to the appropriate management requirements. I believe this should be a licence amendment to reduce the emissions allowed, as well as an improvement notice issued to CCL, both of which should be stringent enough to prevent the use of coal.”
Star rating – 4
* sufficiently interested in the issue to respond to our enquiry
* sufficiently interested in the issue to support some action by City of Cockburn
* has demonstrated a credible knowledge of the pollution issues relating to Cockburn Cement Limited
* has a credible qualifications/background in environmental/pollution issues
East Ward – two Councillors to be elected
Tarun Dewan
Reply 1 –
“I have gone through the issues which are quite long drawn and also potentially impact the business back pocket.
The biggest potential impact is on our residents’ health.
I am happy to understand your battle with the rich and the powerful.
I have always supported righteousness in any issue and if your battle is truly for the residents’ health and well being then there is no reason for me to not support it.
If anything I will strengthen your fight in any way I possibly can.
I have been a National Sportsman who plays fair and likes to win.
My background is that of an Engineer and worked as Project Director for a large Oil and Gas Project Gorgon”
Reply 2 –
“It is surely a matter of grave concern for the community and other neighbourhoods as well. I can foresee the long and short term impacts which pollutants like S02, Oxides of Nitrogen, CO, HCL and Heavy Metal Particulates will have on the health of all community members (children and the aged people in particular), besides also our pets and the environment in general.
I must take this point forward as an election agenda, and I believe, that most community members are ignorant of this fact and those who know, their voices are getting drowned. I am sure the agenda of CCL adhering to better practices in pollution management of the environment requires to be pitched in the forthcoming council elections. This agenda, which somehow has remained on the back burner requires an elevator pitch, and what better than raising it as a manifesto for the elections. Going forward this will require a humungous effort to pitch it as a law, which I am sure can be garnered through public support and opinions.
Having said that, I will like to inform you that I worked as an engineer for over 30 years including Clough and including Gorgon Project.
I have worked in the Government for controlling and managing environmental issues in Asia and Australia. Working there I realised the intros
Measures e.g. new technology, type of fuel selection and other suitable measures needed to manage the environmental considerations. Fight for the nature toxins which were released, how much harm they could have on the beings and the environment.
On this account, I will like to reiterate again, that I stand shoulder to shoulder with the pollution stoppers and ensure Community health is of paramount importance.”
Star rating – 2
* sufficiently interested in the issue to respond to our enquiry
* sufficiently interested in the issue to support some action by City of Cockburn
Kathy Pritchard
“I would definitely support a motion which would stop or prevent pollution.
I have been an active participant in preventing the Outer Harbour from being built in Cockburn Sound. I do not want Cockburn Sound to be destroyed by building a gigantic structure in a pink snapper breeding zone. I believe Fremantle Port is still a well functioning port and has potential to increase the number of shipping containers stored and processed there. I believe when the time comes and Fremantle Port requires upgrades or expansion, I would like to see the Port expand to the west, into the ocean which has already been dredged and damaged. I do not want to see another portion of our beautiful coastline destroyed. Pink snapper spawn in Cockburn Sound, they swim from Geraldton in the north and Albany in the south, so it affects a massive marine area.
I have put in grant applications, so far unsuccessfully to create artificial reefs for freshwater mussels to clean our rivers and tributaries from pollution and will continue on my quest in keeping our waterways clean and pollution free.
As a teacher, my role is preparing young minds to become leaders of tomorrow, being problem solvers and critical thinkers, to become advocates for sustainable living practices. I will be honest and say I only have limited understanding of alternative fuel sources, but would definitely be willing to support the change to these. Our environments are all precious and interdependent and our choices as adults have a huge impact, both positive and detrimental, to our personal health, the health of flora and fauna and the health of the atmosphere.”
Star rating – 3
* sufficiently interested in the issue to respond to our enquiry
* sufficiently interested in the issue to support some action by City of Cockburn
* has credible qualifications/background in environmental/pollution issues
West Ward – one councillor to be elected
Sheldon Ang
“As you may have noticed, I’ve been following and commenting on your site for some time now (under Sheldon Ang – my personal account), simply because I live in Munster (South Coogee area) for almost 10 years at the fringe of the buffer zone. Occasionally the pungent smell of toxicity lingers in the air during a south easterly blow. I have encouraged my friends living in Beeliar and Yangebup to contact DWER, Fran Logan etc
In my early years since 2011, I had written emails to the City, with the usual responses of DWER is the grantor of licences and the city will monitor the community’s feedback etc. I have also attended community workshops and pulse survey and commented on this issue
I have also attended in one of the protests. That was then. I am a lot wiser now in my approach.
As an engineer, I have to ensure my projects take into consideration of the community, safety and EPA environmental concerns. I understand they are not perfect and sometimes being objective may not meet the community’s expectations. I am the community on this occasion.
If elected as the West Ward Councillor. I would leverage my position and my technical aptitude as an engineer of 20 years to align the rest of the councillors to this toxic issue and for them to take this matter seriously.
I would also ensure the City will demand DWER on using the high volume air sampler, using the spectrometer (not officers with their noses!) to analyse the air, and set more test points to analyse on ALL toxic particles, not just on a few random areas on some particles.
I would also encourage the industries in the City not to burn coal, encourage renewables…and will hold the City in honouring the Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan (CCAAP)”
Star rating – 4
* sufficiently interested in the issue to respond to our enquiry
* sufficiently interested in the issue to support some action by City of Cockburn
* has demonstrated a credible knowledge of the pollution issues relating to Cockburn Cement Limited
* has credible qualifications/background in environmental/pollution issues
Phoebe Corke
“1. Environmental record of activity – I was very active in the Save Beeliar Wetlands, Save James Price Point and Save Ningaloo Reef campaigns as well as having supported countless other environmental campaigns over the years. I am currently supporting a range of Climate Change campaigns including the Global Strike 4 Climate.
Yes, I would support your proposed motion – actually I’d take it further as regards emissions but one step at a time perhaps.”
Star rating – 4
* sufficiently interested in the issue to respond to our enquiry
* sufficiently interested in the issue to support some action by City of Cockburn
* has a credible qualifications/background in environmental/pollution issues
* highly active involvement in environmental/pollution issues