The final remnants of the asbestos-riddled town of Wittenoom in WA’s north west are to be officially pulled down bringing to an end a ‘dark chapter’ of the state’s history.
The long-awaited Wittenoom Closure Bill has passed WA Parliament and will allow the state government to acquire and demolish the final 14 properties in the town.
Wittenoom was taken off the map in 2007, but visitors have continued to ignore warnings about the serious health risk posed by its blue asbestos tailings, the products of mining in the town until 1966.
Lands Minister John Carey said he hopes the final closure will put a stop to what he has described as ‘idiotic’ behaviour.
“There will be, in effect, nothing left to visit,” he said. “I do not understand these Instagram influencers … who go out there, because it is idiotic.”
The State Government has already acquired most of the private properties at Wittenoom through voluntary acquisition.
Visitors still travel to Wittenoom despite the risks. PIC: Supplied / ABC
Mr Carey said residents who are forced to move away under the new law would be compensated with $350,000 from the state.
“With the passing of this bill, the state government will now acquire the remaining properties in the townsite, before removing all structures that are left standing in the area,” he said. “The passing of the Wittenoom Closure Bill is a significant step in resolving this longstanding industrial tragedy that will protect public health and put an end to a dark period in our state’s history.”
Previous studies have shown that at least 1,200 former Wittenoom residents and workers have died from lung cancer and mesothelioma.
The Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia (ADSA) said this was an important second step towards addressing this issue (the first step being the closure of the mine and mill in Wittenoom in 1966).
However, it says that its research shows that nearly two generations of Australians are unaware of the contamination and potential risks to their health from visiting Wittenoom and the surrounding area.
“We need to prioritise the education of our younger generations on the dangers of the region, as we know visitors will still be attracted to the spectacular gorges and wildflowers,” the organisation said. “Furthermore, how will the 46,500 hectares be policed for tourists visiting nearby Karijini without some form of deterrent? How do we ensure non-English speaking tourists understand the dangers?”
ADSA would also like to see lasting memorials built to the thousands of lives that have been lost as a result of living and working in Wittenoom.
• Have you visited Wittenoom? Were you aware of the potential dangers in doing so at the time? Comment below.
Worked at TomPrice in the early ’70’s.
Visited the town regularly. Great old pub.
Swam in the beautiful gorges nearby.
A mate I knew in Darwin grew up in Wittenoom. He remembered playing and sliding down the Asbestos mounds after school. He passed away with Asbestos lung disease in his late fourties.
Went to the pub there and gorge when I was working in Parrabudoo in the 80s…Loved it…..still breathing…
Have stayed at the motel back in the ‘70s, and the pub a few times up until it’s last week, the verandahs were chokka with kegs for the final weekend bash. Then in the mid 90’s Dave Doust was running the backpackers and was taking trips through Hancocks properties as he had keys to the gates. Only the post office/general store was still operational. I have a certificate issued to say I am a Gorges person having done the tour. Stayed overnight in camper trailer in early 2000’s, arrived at night and did not realise was camped to a tailings dump. No after effects.
If you’ve been there and not contracted a fatal respiratory disease, rather than brag about it,thank your lucky stars you’re not one of the thousands that died after visiting or living in the place.
Been there many times over the years living at Port Hedland. Rode motorcycles around the place multiple times and stayed in the backpackers when it was around.
Will continue to visit the area. You can’t miss the signs warn you about the dangers, so don’t waste anymore tax payers money as people will still come to visit. I know I will be back as I am too old to worry about the risk…
Went there many times in the seventies whilst working at Paraburdoo and Newman great swimming spots and good cold beer at the pub
worked two days a fortnight at Wittenoom hospital for 6 months in 1970. Combed the asbestos mounds for tigereye. Wittenoom Gorge was beautiful and the pub served great meals. Dr Oxer was quite a character and was responsible for opening the tracks to many of the Gorges
We went and checked it out back in 2008. We were aware of the dangers, so we stayed in the car while we cruised around, and took a few photo’s. No health problems resulted.
Visited once a few years ago on a work trip looked around and walked thru the old huts etc
If the government is knocking down the buildings, then while they’re at it they should be doing a better job of retaining, covering the tailings/fibres from washing into the creeks and becoming airborne.
What a disgrace of a clean up of the mine site the original attempt was.!
I will be going there next year and yes I know the dangers but the fact of the matter is wittenoom has the same risks as a huge majority of the Kimberley has asbestos though out it not to mention one of the many reasons why I don’t agree with the government on this is they are quite happy to let people like myself live in a asbestos house and walk throughout Karijini where you can see the asbestos all the rocks around you so I don’t agree with them picking one out and not doing the same to anything else and a pretty good way to fix the problem without a law change is to pour bitumen over the tailings and then cover it with dirt but no one actually cares about fixing the problem they just want to people think they are doing something