Removing the remaining lead carbonate from the Port of Esperance

In the summer of 2006-07 the Esperance community reported a significant number of dead birds around the town and subsequent testing showed the birds had high levels of lead in their bodies.

Lead carbonate mined near Wiluna north of Kalgoorlie was exported through Esperance between 2005 and 2007 and dust containing lead escaping in the unloading, storage and loading processes led to contamination of areas in and around the Esperance town site.

Once this was confirmed the export of lead carbonate was immediately suspended and approximately 8000 tonnes of lead carbonate was placed in storage at the port in March 2007.

The procedures for removing the remaining lead carbonate went through an extensive process involving the Esperance community and all relevant State Government agencies to ensure its removal would occur without the risk of further contamination of the community or the port.

The remaining lead carbonate was removed from Esperance in two shipments: the first 600 tonnes in late March and the remaining 8,500 tonnes on 4 May 2009.

View Premier Colin Barnett and Transport Minister Simon O'Brien's joint media release announcing the removal of the remaining lead carbonate from Esperance.