Mass Tree Deaths Girraween Sydney West

Eric Frei · 22nd November 2011, 07:10 PM

Gee, I cannot believe a story this large has not been told, these Sydney people are real sharp on the keyboard eh.

Maybe they do not read the news or maybe they do but are just too busy (or lazy) to post about it. Who knows but here's the story.

Hundreds of trees are dead and dying in Girraween, there is a reservoir nearby and a chemical manufacturing plant nearby.

Toongabbie Rd girraween sydney - Google Maps

Here's the news stories in date order:-

Mystery grows on Girraween plant deaths - Environment - News - Parramatta Advertiser

Quote:

3 Nov 11
GIRRAWEEN’S dieback is spreading.

Reports of backyard plant deaths on the eastern and western edges of Girraween reveal that the dieback is not contained to the centre of the suburb.

Gay Buckworth, who lives on Bombala St, and Alfreda Allam, who lives on Toongabbie Rd, have both seen their gardens die over the past few months.

“My son calls this the jungle,” Mrs Buckworth, who has lived in her house for 50 years, said.

“But half of it’s just up and died - this was a beautiful fern and it’s just died.”

Both women have seen their geraniums die, the stems turning a rotten black from the inside out.

“I’ve never seen it like this,” Mrs Allam said.

“I mean, can you kill a mulberry tree? Look at it - it’s dead. I had mulberries all through there for years and years and years.

“My geraniums have all dried up and over there should be just a sea of iris leaves.”

A spokesman for the OEH said that the investigation into the dieback continues to focus on the DuPont factory on Magowar Rd.

“There is an end in sight, but in my experience these things take time,” he said.

DuPont maintains that its herbicide is not responsible for the dieback.

Herbicide pollution linked to factory

Quote:

November 5, 2011

A GOVERNMENT investigation into herbicide pollution in western Sydney that killed hundreds of trees and plants has narrowed the culprit down to a chemical compound produced at a factory in Girraween, near Blacktown.

The vegetation dieback, first noticed three months ago, has left a legacy of more than 200 dead trees that must now be removed by Holroyd Council.

Forensic testing on the dead plants has identified metsulfuron-methyl, a herbicide agent used to kill broadleaf plants, as the culprit.

The dead trees, backyard plants and vegetable patches are confined to a kilometre-wide radius around the herbicide factory operated by DuPont Australia.

The company confirmed the compound was an active ingredient in some herbicides made at the plant, but said a leak could not have caused the pollution.

''Yes, with the information available, this is still our belief,'' DuPont's Asia-Pacific crop protection business director, Mark Swinchatt, said.

''The symptoms observed and reported to us are not what we would expect to see from exposure to herbicides.''

Environmental consultant URS is preparing a report for the company on the vegetation dieback.

''We have conducted a thorough investigation at the facility and to our knowledge there have been no abnormal or unusual incidents or emissions at the plant,'' Mr Swinchatt said.

''DuPont's records and investigations have demonstrated that the filters on the stacks and outlets have been operating in a proper and efficient manner, minimising to the extent possible any emissions to atmosphere from those stacks.''

The Environment Protection Authority said the government investigation had not specifically connected the dead trees to the herbicide factory, though there is no other known cause.

DuPont still deny Girraween chemical leak - Local News - News - Parramatta Advertiser

Quote:

11 Nov 11

HERBICIDE is the cause of the Girraween dieback.

State government investigators have eliminated insects and fungus as potential causes and are waiting on lab results to confirm the precise origin of the herbicide, a new letter delivered to local residents says.

If the samples taken from dead trees and gardens match the unique chemical signature of herbicide produced by DuPont at its Magowar Rd factory, a prosecution is expected to follow.

The company continues to deny responsibility.

“Our position stands,” said the plant’s manager, Tony Azzopardi. “We know we are not the cause.”

The dieback has affected hundreds of trees and dozens of gardens in and around Girraween.

Maltese immigrant and Girraween resident of more than 50 years Charlie Micallef is devastated that his once-healthy grapevine has borne no fruit this spring.

“We had more than 10 boxes of grapes last year - this year, we have nothing,” he said.

“It was our tradition, you know - we make wine, I used to make it back home and I still make it.”

He planted the vine when he moved in, growing it from a sapling to a productive vine that has slaked the thirst of many of his friends and neighbours.

“I can go and buy grapes, but it’s not the same,” he said.

“People don’t understand - you can’t explain.”

Environment Minister Robyn Parker in transport infoline bungle

Quote:

November 22, 2011

Residents wishing to complain about dead trees have been urged to call the state's transport information line, in the latest bungle from the office of the embattled NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker.

A press release from Ms Parker's office was issued this afternoon touting government funding for the removal of dead and dangerous trees from Girraween, which urged residents to call the state's environment line on ''131 500''.

However, 131 500 is the state's transport information line, and is also the name of the transport website.

Eleven minutes after the release was issued, the office issued a correction with the correct phone number, 131 555.

Opposition Leader John Robertson today moved a motion of no-confidence against Ms Parker for her handling of the Orica chemical leaks from the Kooragang Island plant near Stockton, not warning residents immediately, and stumbling performances in budget estimates and an upper house inquiry yesterday.

''Robyn Parker is far and away the worst performing minister in the O'Farrell government – it defies belief the Premier would guarantee her a ministerial position until 2015,'' he said.

Ms Parker defended her performance in question time, and read aloud from a submission from the Stockton branch of the ALP, which complained of inaction under the former Labor government.

'''The Stockton branch of the ALP has long been concerned about the pollution coming from Kooragang Island; complaints have generally fallen on deaf ears,''' she read.

So, is Dupont automatically guilty? Lets look at it this way, they have found the bullet and matched it not to the gun but to the bullet maker. Is that enough to make them guilty?

Could it be industrial sabotage or even Dupont being framed? What if it was a deliberate action by some activist to frame Dupont?

See, 99.9% of people would automatically without thinking go "oh yeah, that'd be right, large chemical company did it sure, they had a leak". But maybe it was a real estate developer who'd like to build units where the factory is, did a little fly by night spraying.

Who knows, just remember to be open minded and not a Kangaroo Court judge, innocent until proven guilty (beyond reasonable doubt).

Done it · 22nd November 2011, 08:16 PM

I've been following it and been busy.

I was going to post about it as soon as I could get some pictures, just have not been over that way lately.

It happened once before in '97, lots of ideas then like planes dumping fuel etc. Mt Annan Botanical Gardens reckoned it was a fungus then, [see Sept 8] that's why I wanted to get some pictures first. Parramatta Advertiser

Done it · 23rd November 2011, 08:12 PM

Doesn't look like any one is interested anyway, but it was caused by a Dupont product there's no doubt about that now, but I don't know.

If you look at the link I posted the streets mainly affected are Gilba, Oramzi and Nomac [the orchid guy]

The prevailing wind there is SSW, if you look at this Dupont is on 179 Magowar Rd Girraween NSW 2145 - Google Maps

Only other place I know of around there using large amounts of herbicide is Fox Hills Golr Course, [big green place on the left]

Sort of makes you wonder, but no one would mention a golf club around here they never do anything wrong.

Eric Frei · 23rd November 2011, 08:54 PM

Apparently there was a previous incident involving the same company late 90's (yes you mentioned it) .... council should know of that.

Dupont was cleared back then.

Source:- http://www2.dupont.com/Our_Company/e...loads/FAQ6.pdf PDf dated 21 September 2011

Quote:

Has this happened before?

DuPont has been operating its plant at the Girraween site for more than
40 years and in that time there have been no environmental incidents or
vegetation damage. In 1997, residents reported tree die-back and,
following an OEH investigation, DuPont was cleared of involvement. At the
time, it was determined that the die-back had been caused by a fungus.

Eric Frei · 9th February 2012, 08:08 PM

Herbicide likely cause of Girraween's tree deaths - Local News - News - General - Parramatta Sun

Quote:

Herbicide likely cause of Girraween's tree deaths
BY LIAM PENDER
09 Feb, 2012 01:00 AM

THE dead street trees of Girraween were cleared this week as an investigation by the state government into who and what caused the deaths draws to a close.

Council workers moved through Gilba Road, Palm Street and Oramzi Road on Tuesday ripping out the evidence of Girraween's tree deaths.

Tests run by the Office of Environment and Heritage last year found that the tree deaths in parts of Girraween were likely the result of the presence of a herbicide in the affected plants known as metsulfuron methyl.

Metsulfuron methyl is the key ingredient of the herbicide Escort® XP produced at the DuPont factory on Magowar Road, just metres from where the council workers removed the dead trees this week.

The state authority has not named DuPont as the source of the contamination but did say the chemical it found in the trees was a "substance that is manufactured locally". The OEH would not give a date for when their investigation would be completed.

"The investigation is ongoing but drawing to a close," an OEH spokeswoman said.

"No regulatory decision has been made as yet. The possibility of a prosecution is still a potential option."

Girraween residents said they hoped DuPont, who they believed were responsible for the die-back of plants, were made to pay for the incident.

"They have to do something about it," one resident Gilba Road said.

Another Gilba Road resident, Ray Tavener, said some the damage done to his garden could not be compensated.

One of the dead trees he removed from his front yard had been planted for his daughter when she was a baby.

"It had been there since she was a baby, it had grown with her, it was a sentimental tree," he said.

A DuPont spokeswoman said the company would not speculate on the outcome of the OEH investigation.

"Our own investigations have shown that the plant operates to the highest emission control standards," she said.

"The DuPont plant at Girraween has been a responsible member of the local community for more than 40 years, conducting its operations to the highest environmental standards and without any impact to human, animal or vegetation health."

¦ DuPont has encouraged anyone who is concerned to contact plant manager Tony Azzopardi on 0418 113 953.

Now the interesting wait. I wrote earlier .....

Quote:

So, is Dupont automatically guilty? Lets look at it this way, they have found the bullet and matched it not to the gun but to the bullet maker. Is that enough to make them guilty?

Could it be industrial sabotage or even Dupont being framed? What if it was a deliberate action by some activist to frame Dupont?

See, 99.9% of people would automatically without thinking go "oh yeah, that'd be right, large chemical company did it sure, they had a leak". But maybe it was a real estate developer who'd like to build units where the factory is, did a little fly by night spraying. Who knows, just remember to be open minded and not a Kangaroo Court judge, innocent until proven guilty (beyond reasonable doubt).

Rob Chace · 9th February 2012, 08:37 PM

Lit-Igg-a-shown!!!

Paul Goodall · 9th February 2012, 11:47 PM

Is there any word on how all these trees, public spaces and private gardens have been contaminated?

Groundwater, Reservoir contamination, Airborne etc? Seems there could be a bigger story to tell yet especially if it's in the reservoir or groundwater.

22nd November 2011, 08:16 PM	#2
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 780	Re: Mass Tree Deaths Girraween Sydney West I've been following it and been busy. I was going to post about it as soon as I could get some pictures, just have not been over that way lately. It happened once before in '97, lots of ideas then like planes dumping fuel etc. Mt Annan Botanical Gardens reckoned it was a fungus then, [see Sept 8] that's why I wanted to get some pictures first. Parramatta Advertiser

23rd November 2011, 08:12 PM	#3
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 780	Re: Mass Tree Deaths Girraween Sydney West Doesn't look like any one is interested anyway, but it was caused by a Dupont product there's no doubt about that now, but I don't know. If you look at the link I posted the streets mainly affected are Gilba, Oramzi and Nomac [the orchid guy] The prevailing wind there is SSW, if you look at this Dupont is on 179 Magowar Rd Girraween NSW 2145 - Google Maps Only other place I know of around there using large amounts of herbicide is Fox Hills Golr Course, [big green place on the left] Sort of makes you wonder, but no one would mention a golf club around here they never do anything wrong.

9th February 2012, 08:37 PM	#6
Rob Chace Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Perth, WA Posts: 238	Re: Mass Tree Deaths Girraween Sydney West Lit-Igg-a-shown!!!

9th February 2012, 11:47 PM	#7
Paul Goodall Sappling Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Toowoomba QLD Posts: 35	Re: Mass Tree Deaths Girraween Sydney West Is there any word on how all these trees, public spaces and private gardens have been contaminated? Groundwater, Reservoir contamination, Airborne etc? Seems there could be a bigger story to tell yet especially if it's in the reservoir or groundwater.

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