MCU15/0095 & REC15/0022 PM Submission Object - N Walker

precautionary       principle and consider the possible risks to make a decision that is not in any way harmful.
In the absence of scientific consensus that the Development                      is not harmful, the burden of proof that it is
not harmful falls on the Developer and the Property Owner. Neither has satisfied that burden of proof.


Emissions from           petrol   stations     are widely      acknowledged      to contain     compounds       harmful     to health,
including,     toluene,      xylenes; and benzene which             is a known health risk and carcinogen.                Exposure to
emissions from           petrol   stations    has been shown to be associated                with increased     risks of childhood
leukaemia, independent               of other risk factors.'

                                                                                                                                 7
A Spanish study published               in the US Journal of Environmental          Management        in December 2010 shows
that emissions from evaporated                 petrol or fuel, generally when petrol is being transferred                 or has been
spilt, contaminates         the surrounding       area with volatile materials, including the carcinogen benzene.                      This
means that the atmosphere                in the immediate       vicinity of service stations can be contaminated                 up to SO
metres away.            The study recommends            that a minimum        distance of SO metres should be maintained
between        petrol     stations    and housing,      and 100 metres        for "especially     vulnerable"      facilities    such as
hospitals, health centres, schools and old people's homes.


 In 2014, Dr Ian Francis Musgrave,                 Lecturer in Pharmacology,         University    of Adelaide,      referred        to the
Spanish Study stating that the radius of significant levels of hydrocarbons                       of concern was of the order of
approximately           7Sm from the station.          For example the levels of benzene at 75 meters were 4 Ilg/m3,
which is 25% of the EPA yearly exposure limit of 16 Ilg/m3.


Professor Lidia Morawska               at QUT has been conducting           studies in Brisbane into the health effects of
exposure of children to airborne nano and ultrafine                   particles (UFP) emitted from motor vehicles. Owing
to their small size, UFPs are able to penetrate                     deep into the lungs, where they may cause adverse
respiratory,     pulmonary        and cardiovascular        health effects. Her studies show that the impact is significant
and visible. In addition to the emissions from vehicles in the service station, the proposed Development
will generate more traffic in and around the School. These emission sources are in such close proximity
to the school that they pose and unacceptable                    increased health risk to this vulnerable          population        group
of school students.


The Western Australian               Environmental     Protection    Authority   (WAEPA) in its policy document,                Guideline
for the Assessment          of Environmental       Factors, recommended          separation distances for Industrial Residual
Air Emissions of 200 meters                  between     a service station       operating     24 hours a day and a school.
"Separation       distance" is defined to be the shortest distance between the boundary of the service station
and the School.


The subject Property directly adjoins the School's 14m toddler outdoor                          pool and the 25m outdoor              pool
used by all age groups. The fuel bowsers on the proposed development                               are dangerously        close to the
Pool facilities     being no more than an estimated                 30 meters from the outdoor           toddler     pool. The pool
facilities,   apart from constant            school use, are utilised all year round by the School's associated Swim


6 see e.g. CSteffen et al 2004 -
                               "Acute childhood leukaemia and environmental exposure to potential sources of
  benzene and other hydrocarbons; a case-cantrol study" and many other similar studies showing adverse effects
  particularly on young growing bodies.
7 Tern,s et al




                                                                                                                                            7