Stop Sunshine Coast Council dumping toxic chemicals (PFAS) into the ocean October 2019

Stop Sunshine Coast Council dumping toxic chemicals (PFAS) into the ocean October 2019

Started
30 August 2019
Signatures: 17,724Next goal: 25,000
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Why this petition matters

Started by Joel Saunders

Sunshine Coast Council announced on the 28th of August 2019 that a pipeline will be built from the Sunshine Coast airport with its outlet 400m offshore from Mudjimba beach, to dispose of airport pond water contaminated with PFAS. This is set to occur mid October 2019 with 8 mega litres of contaminated waste water to be pumped and disposed per day, over a period of 20 days. 

PFAS is a proven carcinogenic, which has caused cluster cancers in populated community areas exposed to the chemical. PFAS is a non-degradable, bioaccumulative chemical, which poses a great threat to our marine environment and human health as it is introduced into our food chain.  The risk to local beach goers, surfers and divers is unknown and the area at risk is also unknown as currents spread the chemical through Sunshine Coast waters.  

It should be noted that Council have other options to dispose of PFAS in a safer but more expensive way. Time and money seem to be the highest priority for council as they try to meet deadlines for the development of the international airport. 

We, the undersigned respectfully petition Sunshine Coast Council to stop the release of ponded water contained on the Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project Site to the Maroochy River immediately and to stop the release of ponded water to the Ocean via the new pipeline. We do not want the pipeline to be used for release of any contaminatedor ponded water from the airport. We request that further research and investigation is undertaken and alternative solutions are pursued. There is worldwide concern about PFAS, being bio-accumulative and toxic and international debate to phase out the use of PFAS due to unacceptable risk to human health and the environment. The residents of the Sunshine Coast implore you to find another solution and to consider the short term and long term ramifications to our tourism, fishing, waterways, environment and ultimately the health risks to the residents of the Sunshine Coast.  

 

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Signatures: 17,724Next goal: 25,000
Support now
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