Local MP Leon Bignell wants Premier Steven Marshall to intervene and ensure PFAS contaminated waste cannot be stored at a McLaren Vale dump.

The Advertiser reported this morning that the Environmental Protection Agency was “likely” to grant a licence to Southern Waste Resource Co to store the waste at their Tatachilla Road landfill facility.

However, EPA Chief Tony Circelli told ABC Radio Adelaide that he was surprised to see the report, saying the agency was still compiling information on the issue.

“We are certainly very close to bringing that package of information to our board to consider,” he said.

When asked about the environmental risk Mr Circelli said the design measures proposed by Southern Waste were “very good” but that the EPA also had to consider the geology and hydrogeology in the area.

Mr Circelli refused to be drawn on whether the EPA considered the site to be high or low risk, saying the decision was for the board.

The Member for Mawson, Leon Bignell, organised public meetings regarding the issue last year and remains vehemently opposed to the proposal. 

He told ABC Radio Adelaide that he had asked the Premier to intervene over the matter but without success.

“It’s terrible,” he said, “We’ve got a million square kilometres in South Australia."

"Why would you put it in an area where we’re reliant on clean, premium soils and water?”

PFAS chemicals are the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl group of manufactured chemicals that are used in products such as carpet, food packaging and fire-fighting foam.

More information on the chemicals can be found on the EPA website.