The Northern Territory (NT) Coroner has this afternoon, lifted the declaration of a restricted area at Mount Bundey Station.

The lifted restriction follows test results which have found arsenic levels in water and soil to be within normal community standards. Further, expert medical advice determined that the elevated levels of arsenic found in long term residents at that location are within acceptable levels and do not pose a health risk.

This advice also indicates that arsenic is present generally in the environment and elevated levels within humans can be attributed to various factors for example the consumption of some seafood. Further tests are being conducted by a number of authorities to continue to determine possible causes of the elevated levels of arsenic however the results before the Coroner indicate that the Mount Bundey Station environment is within normal community levels and can be reopened.

The declaration of the restricted area was a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and to enable possible environmental sources to be identified and tested as a priority. The outcome of those results has enabled the restriction to now be lifted.

The Coronial investigation is ongoing by NT Police and South Australia (SA) Police on behalf of the NT and SA Coroners into the death of 17-year-old, Ben Witham. The cause of death is yet to be determined.

The public meeting to be held in Adelaide River this evening at 6.30pm will still be going ahead - see attached flyer for more details.


Media Contact
Katie Fowden
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