Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison, has welcomed news that the EPA is taking significant action against a company in the Rutherford Industrial Estate in relation to pollution issues commonly known as the "Rutherford Stink".
“This has been an ongoing issue for many people in Rutherford and surrounding suburbs over an extensive period” said Ms Aitchison.
Ms Aitchison currently has a Notice of Motion in the Legislative Assembly listed for debate:
I give notice that on the next sitting day I will move that this House:
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Notes that the “Rutherford Stink” has been an ongoing problem for residents in the Maitland electorate.
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Calls on the Baird Grant Government to take efficacious action against polluters in the Rutherford estate to stop the smells.
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Urges the Government to fully investigate the health impacts of these emissions.
Ms Aitchison lodged the Notice of Motion in November 2015, in response to an extensive survey of affected residents she conducted in July last year. Ms Aitchison has repeatedly called for conclusive action from the EPA, the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Health on the issue since before she was elected in March 2015.
Ms Aitchison said she was pleased with the cooperation and communication she had received from the EPA in recent days on the issue: "I have been seeking action on this issue for a number of years now, and it just has to be addressed. The people of Rutherford have been impacted for too long."
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