Cockburn Cement given ultimatum

The City of Cockburn says it wants Cockburn Cement (CCL) to make a substantial investment in emissions control technology or vacate its Munster operations within 5 years.

The City of Cockburn's comments, which follow large community protests against CCL, are in a submission to the Department of Environment and Conservation and the minister for environment on the proposed new DEC licence for the Munster plant.

The City of Cockburn's submission said the community, who is concerned about the health implications of emissions, has constantly been given excuses why CCL is unable to provide new technology.

The council and local residents have been given false hopes and promises over the past 10 years as new reports and promises are not fulfilled.

They ask that the new license requirements be two-fold: CCL should immediately reduce output to ensure that emissions are significantly reduced; and identify major upgrades in emission control technology to be installed within 2 years.

City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett underlined the need for transparent and accountable behaviour in the corporate community.

"The City of Cockburn expects that all corporate citizens conducting business activities in the district do so in an open and accountable manner and without adversely impacting on their neighbours or the wider community," Mr Howlett said.

"CCL need to be cognisant of their obligations to the community and take positive, timely steps to ensure they upgrade their Munster plant to Industry best practice and that they develop and implement an action plan that delivers outcomes that are acceptable to the DEC, the City and the community - nothing less will be acceptable."

The council said it has been in ongoing dialogue with the DEC and CCL since March 2009 and the City's Councillors have constantly met with the DEC, who has provided a written commitment to tighten the CCL license in the near future.

They said residents have raised concerns about the health effects of emissions.

Residents have been to discuss their concerns with their GP who can take the matter further with the WA Department of Health or lodge their complaint separately with the DEC.

CCL, which is a division of Adelaide Brighton, was being sought for comment.