The South West's two biggest business groups have called on the state government to make a decision on the future of Millennium Inorganic Chemicals' solid waste disposal site.
The Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Bunbury Wellington Economic Alliance backed MIC's application for a new licence to continue operating the Dalyellup solid waste disposal site for another three years.
Bunbury Wellington Economic Alliance chief executive Matt Granger said the site operated under strict licence conditions and that MIC's environmental record over 20 years at Dalyellup had been exemplary.
"After 18 months of investigation and community consultation the time has come to make a decision," Mr Granger said.
"MIC is a major contributor to the economy of the South-West and the company's continued operations will benefit the community by $150 million a year of local spending."
Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Allan Birrell said that MIC was a major employer, with 350 staff and contractors, operating at sites at Australind, Kemerton and Dalyellup.
"This company has operated in the South-West for 46 years and is a good corporate citizen, making a substantial contribution to the community," Mr Birrell said.
The BWEA and BCCI had taken the step of issuing a joint statement in response to misleading claims reported from a few people that the Dalyellup solid waste disposal site posed a hazard to health.
"All the evidence collected over 20 years shows that it is safe. The 18 month-investigation and community consultation into the new licence should come to a conclusion," they said.
"To put the continued operation of a $250-million-a-year business at risk because of the inaccurate and misleading claims of one or two people is irresponsible.
"All other government decision-making bodies have approved the continued use of the site - including the Environmental Protection Authority, the WA Planning Commission, the Radiological Council and the Shire of Capel.
"In the interests of operational security for MIC and maintaining future confidence in the South-West economy, we are calling for a decision without further delay."
