AFTER years of community campaigns and complaints over its air pollution, Cockburn Cement is now facing Cockburn MLA David Scaife, who has started a petition against the company. 

CCL has been the subject of community criticism for producing dust and unreasonable odour for well over a decade and was fined $290,000 in the Magistrates Court last year for unreasonable odour emissions from its Munster facility. 

Following the charges, residents continued to complain that the issue had not improved. 

Mr Scaife says it’s time for CCL to “clean up its act”.

“As the Member for Cockburn and a resident of Beeliar, I’m outraged that Cockburn Cement is still polluting our community in 2024,” Mr Scaife said. 

His online petition demands that CCL moves its lime manufacturing operations to its Kwinana facility and closes its Munster facility. 

Additionally, the petition states if the Munster facility is to remain open, CCL must install thermal oxidisers to eliminate unreasonable odours being produced, and stop stockpiling and burning coal. 

“I urge all residents affected by Cockburn Cement to sign the petition and to continue reporting dust and odour issues to Pollution Watch,” Mr Scaife said. 

The petition now has over 1900 signatures and is continuing to gain community support. 

Grateful

Cockburn local and longtime advocate against CCL’s dust and odour production Greg Hocking said he was “grateful” for Mr Scaife taking an interest in the matter. 

After being at the forefront of community campaigns against CCL for almost a decade, Mr Hocking has noted several attempts by the company to manage air pollution but claims there has been “no real change” for neighbours. 

Mr Hocking said he was hopeful that with a member of the state government getting involved, CCL may address its air pollution and is optimistic the issue may finally be resolved. 

CCL was contacted for a comment but is yet to get back to us.

by JULIUS KIDD