WA Country Health boss denies West End move rumours

The WA Country Health Service has rejected claims it is moving its staff out of the West End because it fears their health is at risk from dust exposure.

Health Minister Kim Hames recently confirmed 37 State Government health workers were living in the area, despite his department spending two years overseeing a major study into the risks dust posed to residents.

The Health Department’s report subsequently found long-term exposure to high levels of dust could adversely affect the health of residents living in the area.

But WACHS – Pilbara regional director Ron Wynn denied rumours the report had led his team to relocate staff out of the area.

“There has been only one WACHS employee relocated from the West End in the past year,” he said.

“The person was moved from a private rental property to WACHS owned house in Pretty Pool.”

“There are 10 permanent WACHS employees living in (the) West End and another 27 who are on fixed term employment contracts, colloquially referred to as ‘transient staff’.”

Mr Wynn’s comments come as the Health Department’s report stated that a strategy must be introduced to restrict future population growth in areas close to operations at Port Hedland Port, such as the West End.

It also recommended all stakeholders work to minimise the amount of dust escaping into the air.

Despite owning 22 properties in the West End, including some lying vacant, a Health Department spokesman said the government would not take immediate action to mitigate dust escaping these properties.

“Dust mitigation is just one strategy to be considered by the Port Hedland taskforce in the broader context of land-use planning and management in Port Hedland,” the spokesman said.