Mandogalup fears on buffer zone

Residents from Mandogalup have voiced their frustrations with the State Government, Alcoa and the Kwinana Industries Council (KIC) during a special meeting held over the State Government’s proposed industrial buffer zone.

The meeting, which was called by KIC director Chris Oughton via a letter sent out to residents on May 30, was set to discuss the options available to landowners.

Mr Oughton said the options available to residents included zoning the area as light industrial, special industrial and commercial; but not the urban option residents were seeking.

“The science is the science and the science says there should be no sensitive land uses (homes) inside the buffer,” he said.

Residents at the meeting remained firm in their conviction that the land should be zoned for housing.

Local landowner Mark Wells said residents would not be bullied into the changes by the State Government or big industry.

“The Government is trying to scare the public by stating there is a health risk living in this area,” Mr Wells said.

“If market gardeners can operate and sell their produce that we buy in supermarkets, Alcoa can have a social club within this area and my family has lived here for more than 80 years — I want to see evidence of the health risk.

“We have also lived on the local rainwater and eaten our home-grown vegetables.”

Despite the seemingly overwhelming opposition, Mr Oughton said there had been some residents who approached him after the meeting to say they couldn’t speak up in support of his suggestions because they felt intimidated by vocally opposed residents.

“The legislation will protect industry in the Western Trade coast, from Dixon Road right up to Woodman Point from residential encroachment,” Mr Oughton said.

“This is good for the 30,000 direct and indirect jobs the industry provides.”

Government introduced the legislation last October, proposing a buffer zone around the Western Trade Coast industrial area stretching from East Rockingham to Coogee.

It argued it was needed to prevent urban encroachment, but Mandogalup’s inclusion angered locals who said a legislated buffer zone would leave them unable to invest, sell or subdivide their properties.

“Mr Oughton said he didn’t want residential encroaching on industry but my family has been here long before Alcoa turned up,” Mr Wells said.

“Who is encroaching on who?”

The legislation is expected to come before the Parliament after the winter recess ends in August.