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The Toxic Heavy Metal Taskforce Tasmania is outraged that the West Coast Council is failing to notify property buyers about known levels of heavy metal contaminants on properties in Rosebery.

 Spokesperson Isla MacGregor today said “We wrote to the West Coast Council late last year asking about what information Council provided to property buyers about known levels of heavy metal contaminants on Rosebery properties and are very disappointed with the response we received from Council.

Since several residents have now been diagnosed with heavy metal poisoning it is very important that any new property buyers in the area have a right to know about the potential risks from arsenic and other heavy metals.

In areas of Hobart that are contaminated by heavy metals (lead, cadmium and zinc) from previous smelting activities of the zinc works at Lutana, people buying property in affected areas receive a pamphlet, put out by the EPA/DHHS , with Council Certificate 337 as part of the conveyancing process. The inclusion of this pamphlet with Cert 337, came about as a result of community pressure on the Government to make this information routinely available.

The DHHS and EPA appear to be operating under a double standard since the release of the Final Report on the Rosebery toxic heavy metals investigation. One standard for the city people and another for the remote mining communities. The West Coast Council are falling in behind and keeping mum on the issue.

Our Taskforce's inquiries have ascertained that Real Estate Agents on the West Coast are unaware of the inclusion of pamphlets with Cert 337 for purchasing properties in affected Hobart suburbs.

 The Local Government Association needs to take responsibility for ensuring uniformity in standards between Councils about contaminated freehold properties and protection of consumer rights” said Isla MacGregor.

For further information contact Isla MacGregor on (03) 6239 1054 ###

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