Barney over the Blvd gets all toxic

THE Infrastructure Department has denied the proposed route for the $50 million Barneson Blvd is filled with toxins.

In posts to the Stop Barneson Boulevard social media page and in media interviews Katherine Marchment said given the proximity of the road to the “old fuel site” it is reasonable to suggest there is a risk to the public from toxins.

Quoting a Shell report into the site, Ms Marchment told ABC radio there were roughly 40 chemicals on the site.

“This is stuff that can kill your pets and babies,” she said.

“This is banned pesticides, asbestos and high concentrations of lead and this is just a few. The government has a duty of care – if it can kill people I think people should know about it.

“I think they should release their environmental impact statement for perusal.

“They should release their site management plan for workers living nearby and they should do a study or report into the potential health impacts.”

Department of Infrastructure general manager transport and civil services Louise McCormick said the project will be assessed by the NT Environmental Protection Agency before going to tender so any recommendations can be included into project management plans.

“Barneson Boulevard is not toxic,” she said.

“All projects require baseline testing, particularly when there are known issues on or adjacent to the site.

“The department was aware of the issues on the privatelyowned Vivo site and as such, conducted testing to understand what management plans were required if anything was found.”

She said low levels had been found on the Barneson Blvd site but nothing that wouldn’t be expected on other projects.

As part of its submission to the NTEPA the department has outlined potential risks for the works, including the road reserve which runs adjacent to the old fuel site and the requirement for associated management plans.