After two delays, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) will be treating Bruns emergency pods with a pesticide treatment, despite some strong opposition from flood-affected residents.
A resident told The Echo that notice was given that RA will inspect homes on April 23.
The resident did not want to provide their name, owing to the fear of being evicted. Yet they are ‘still very concerned about the local environment and other residents who are anxious and worried about these pesticides, but who do not have pre-existing medical conditions to exempt them’.
Neighbours outlined concerns with the toxins to The Echo and RA, saying banned neurotoxins would be used.
While acknowledging there was a cockroach problem, the resident says they effectively used cockroach baits, ‘and have not had a problem. The same can be said for literally most residents’.
A NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) spokesperson told The Echo, ‘The detection of German cockroaches in some of the villages poses a significant risk to residents, as they can cause respiratory and skin conditions or allergic reactions’.
‘Treatment is also critical to prevent damage to pods and electrical appliances caused by insects and rodents’. They said German cockroaches require a specific treatment, and ‘baits are ineffective’.
They added pod inspections will be carried out first to determine infestation.
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