Cancer cluster to be determined

THE Senate is set to hand down its findings today following an extensive investigation into a potential cancer cluster on the Bellarine Peninsula.

In October 2019 the investigation was referred to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee for an inquiry following reports suggesting excessive cancer diagnosis could be linked to a mosquito spraying program in Barwon Heads.

The alleged cancer cluster was brought to light by independent research group, Discovery 3227, who say the cause is a chemical called Malathion which was used to cull mosquitos by the City of South Barwon and the City of Greater Geelong between the 1980s and 2012.

Established by Barwon Heads residents, the group said those living near the 54-acre park commonly referred to as “The Muddies”, as well as children of Barwon Heads Primary School, have experienced abnormally high rates of cancer and autoimmune diseases from the regular spraying of pesticides during that time.

The Committee’s final report was originally anticipated for August 2020 but faced several delays due to COVID-19 restrictions preventing public hearings.

The final hearing took place on April 20, 2021 where “compelling evidence” revealed a concerning rate or leukaemia and breast cancer diagnoses in the coastal town between 1982 and 2000.

According to Discovery 3227, both conditions along with other autoimmune diseases can be linked to the chemicals used in the mosquito spraying program, causing Senator Sarah Henderson to demand further research.

“Data from the Victorian Cancer Registry revealed that during this period, there were 42 per cent more cases of leukaemia in Barwon Heads than occurs in the ordinary population,” she said.

As a result, the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee requested that chief health officer Brett Sutton communicate with anyone in Victoria who had been diagnosed with leukaemia since the late 1970s with established links to the Bellarine Peninsula.

The City of Greater Geelong has maintained throughout the inquiry that its mosquito spraying program was not carried out on residential streets nor linked to an alleged cancer cluster.

The findings today are set to bring the inquiry to an end, however, it is currently unknown if further action will be taken.