Opening of Clearing House
By Sue Bolton
MELBOURNE — The Clearing House for Clean Information had its grand opening in Melbourne's western suburbs on August 21. The Clearing House is a new statewide toxics and urban issues group.
According to Clearing House, 70% of Melbourne's chemical industry is located in the western suburbs, which have the highest incidence of death from heart attack, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, liver disease, breast cancer and colon cancer.
However, Clearing House isn't interested only in the western suburbs; the group also points out that chemical-related illnesses are too high in many other areas.
Local organisations across Victoria are involved in Clearing House, and workers in hazardous industries are interested. Spokesperson Colleen Hartland said, "We hope to provide an umbrella for resident groups and workers involved in campaign activity".
Through Clearing House, users will have access to a large range of publications on chemicals and urban issues, meeting space, computer equipment and plume mapping equipment. The Clearing House is located at the Yarraville Community Centre, 59 Francis Street, Yarraville. Phone 687 5549.