Investigations find Milpera site safe for teachers and students

Investigations by an independent environmental health consultant and Queensland Health have found the Milpera State High School site poses no risk to staff or students, Education and Training Minister Rod Welford announced today.

Mr Welford said the investigations had found no evidence of contamination with soil, water and air samples from the site all being well within acceptable levels.

“In addition, a six-month Queensland Health epidemiological investigation found that breast cancer rates amongst Milpera State High School staff over the last 23 years were consistent with the average breast cancer rates in the community,” Mr Welford said.

“Throughout this investigation, the health and wellbeing of staff and students has been my highest priority.

“The principal, staff at Milpera State High and the Queensland Teachers Union have been briefed about the reports’ findings, and I hope any concerns they may have had have been alleviated.”

Mr Welford announced in April 2007 that a comprehensive investigation of Milpera State High School at Chelmer would be undertaken after health concerns about the site were raised with him.

A technical working group and a stakeholder reference group were established to oversee the investigations at the site, with the working group consisting of technical experts from Queensland Health, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, the Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane City Council and the Department of Education, Training and the Arts.

Two comprehensive investigations of the work environment at Milpera State High School have been undertaken, including an environmental assessment by an independent environmental consultant and a separate epidemiological and statistical analysis by Queensland Health.

No further investigations have been recommended.

“We have kept staff and the school community well informed during this investigation process about what was being done and what were the interim results,” Mr Welford said.

“I understand this has been an anxious time for some of them and I appreciate their cooperation during this process.”

Further information about the health reports can be found at http://education.qld.gov.au/health/research/milpera.html

Local residents or parents of students at the school with additional queries are encouraged to contact Mr Mark Hewison, Director Organisational Health Unit at the Department of Education, Training and the Arts on 3237 0230 for more information.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985