Update: ‘No health risk’ to community confirmed and community forum to be held

Sunday August 14, 2011

It has been confirmed by the NSW Department of Health, that following further independent testing, there is no health risk to the residents of the Stockton area following the incident at Orica’s Kooragang Island site.

Since Tuesday morning (9th August, 2011), Orica has been focused on addressing individual community concerns through our official hotline and a resident door knock. We have also been working with staff to provide a range of services and answering any questions.

From Saturday (13th August, 2011), Orica has commenced a full clean up of all properties in the area affected by the incident where contamination may have occurred. In line with the ‘Clean Up Notice’ issued to Orica from the Office of Environment and Heritage, Orica has been inspecting all properties in the area and working with residents to identify and remove contamination. 

With the clean up now well under way, this week we will be holding a forum to address community questions more broadly. The exact details of this forum will be made available in the coming days.

Orica regrets the incident and will undertake a full investigation into all aspects of the incident, including the notification process. The health and safety of our staff and the community continues to be our prime concern.

Orica continues to encourage concerned residents to call the Orica help line for more information on +61 2 4908 9300.

• Media contact:  Nicole Ekert, Corporate Communications, (03) 9665 7538                 
Mobile: 0407 166 783

Further information can be found at the NSW Department of Health website:
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au