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Monday, 12 September 2011
Page: 9599

Mr CRAIG KELLY (Hughes) (13:57): I make a personal appeal to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities that ,when exercising your responsibilities under the EPBC Act in regard to the Moorebank intermodal freight terminals, you have these developments assessed by the most stringent level of assessment available—a public inquiry with the appointment of an independent commissioner given the broadest terms of reference, including a health-risk assessment.

Overseas studies have found that intermodal terminals are hot spots for diesel emissions, adversely affecting local air quality and health. The American Heart Association stated that exposure to diesel emissions contributes to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The Children's Hospital Boston has stated that there is a strong and consistent correlation between diabetes and particulate air pollution. Numerous studies have also linked elevated risks of diesel emissions to asthma attacks, yet this proposal has some 10 schools, 19 childcare centres and 3,000 family homes within a two-kilometre radius.

Sydney's south-west is already more prone to air pollution than other areas of Australia. For example, a resident of Liverpool aged between 16 and 24 is 50 per cent more likely to suffer asthma than the average New South Wales person in the same age group. Minister, you will be failing in your duty of care to the residents of south-west Sydney if this development is assessed by anything less than a full public inquiry.