Botany Bay and Catchment Alliance

The Federal Department of Environment and Water Resources has released a new factsheet on paticulate matter . Small particles as mentioned in this factsheet are found in industrial pollution and diesel exhaust.

R A P S Residents Against Polluting Stacks Inc, Sydney NSW Australia  http://www.nostack.8m.com/

9 October 2007

Media release  Contact: Andrew Macintosh (02) 6162 4146 or 0403 804 540

Shipping’s falling market share is making greenhouse emissions worse: New Report from The Australia Institute (more…)

Movements of traffic in and out of part of Port Botany ground to a halt because of a chemical scare in a shipping container.  It should make authorities review  the present concentration of hazardous activities in this area and think about decentralisation.  Not only does it pose a major threat to Sydney – only 10 minutes from the CBD – but it would be an economic nightmare for the State if there was a knock on effect from some future catastrophe and the port and airport gas and other supplies were destroyed.

Chemical scare surrounds shipping container  13/9/07 am:  ABC News online:

The customs building at Port Botany in Sydney has been evacuated because of a suspicious chemical found in a shipping container.  Twenty-five workers have been removed while HAZMAT crews investigate the chemical, which was discovered about two hours ago.

Superintendent Craig Brierley from the New South Wales Fire Brigade says Bumborah Point Road at Matraville has been closed.”The container’s full of what we believe is furniture,” he said.

“The night before, Customs fumigated as a routine matter. It may just be a remnant of a fumigant. We’re not exactly sure. “We’ll take some readings and work out our next course of action.”

Ever been to a smorgasbord where those at the head of the queue pile their plates regardless of how little they leave for those who follow.  This pretty much describes the gouging and gorging behaviour that is being supported and applauded by our NSW State Government.  With the media distracted by APEC, Minister Sartor has given the go-ahead to an Anvil Hill sized coal mine outside of Mudgee as well as the Enfield Intermodal.  More congestion and pollution for an area already suffering overload in both areas….and for what.  Before long one-third of all our so-called trade through Port Botany will be the export of empty containers.  That’s right, the biggest exports from NSW are EMPTY CONTAINERS and COAL.  How sustainable is that?  (more…)