Greg Hunt: Mornington Peninsula has ‘total control’ over radical trial
An angry Greg Hunt came out swinging in the wake of claims that Mornington Peninsula councillors didn’t know about a plan to spray the region with pesticide. But Mayor David Gill says he isn’t interested in pointing the finger. Here’s why.
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Federal Liberal MP Greg Hunt has slammed Mornington Peninsula Shire’s claims it had no prior knowledge of a controversial plan to spray sections of the region with insecticide.
An angry Mr Hunt wrote to Mornington Peninsula Mayor David Gill saying the council had “total control” of the project.
“I am surprised at your comments as the Mornington Peninsula Shire has been the advocate for and has been a partner in the application, design and delivery of the program,” Mr Hunt wrote.
“The Shire retains full and total control over all and any actions taken within the Mornington Peninsula.”
Mr Hunt said the council was “a cornerstone partner” in the Melbourne University led project which aims to “disrupt the transmission” of the Buruli ulcer and create “evidence-based policies and practices” to control it in future.
“From the outset, the Shire proposed action to limit the catastrophic impact of Buruli ulcer by controlling mosquitoes,” Mr Hunt wrote.
“This was the plan the Shire sought and proposed.”
The pesticide spraying is an attempt to reduce the mosquito population and test a theory that the insects are partially responsible for a spike in Buruli ulcer cases.
The mystery skin condition has already infected 116 people this year, according to new data, with 14 cases reported last week alone.
Cases this year include 28 people in the Mornington Peninsula, 11 in Geelong, eight in Frankston and six in the Bayside area.
The mosquito control program is part of the multimillion-dollar Beating Buruli project.
Under the program areas from Rosebud to Portsea would be sprayed with synthetic pyrethroid pesticide every four to six weeks during mosquito breeding season.
The spraying is expected to begin this October.
Cr Gill said he believed the council was taking part in a study that included trapping and monitoring mosquitoes in the region.
“I am a councillor with no operational control at all,” Cr Gill said.
“But I’m happy to accept that I could have done better when it comes to being across all of this.”
He said he was now focused on finding a way to stop the Buruli ulcer without damaging the environment and “creating a whole new problem”.
“I don’t think our residents are interested in who is to blame for what,” Cr Gill said.
“They want to be fully informed about what is planned.”
Councillors are expected to meet on August 6 with the Department of Human Services and scientists involved in the project.
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“Hopefully they will be able to answer our questions and provide us with more information,” Cr Gill said.
He said he was pleased Mr Hunt would be attending a community meeting about the project this Saturday, August 10, 2-4pm at Rye Civic Hall, 12 Napier St, Rye.
That meeting has been organised independently by Mornington Peninsula resident Paul Saunders.
Mr Saunders wanted to ensure that any studies were conducted ethically, without dangerous chemicals and “based on sound science”.
To attend the event email kizmetc@outlook.com