After the devastating explosion of ammonium nitrate in Beirut,...

• After the devastating explosion of ammonium nitrate in Beirut, it is time to remove such a dangerous material from Newcastle. With Orica's poor history regarding poisonous gasses escaping the plant into surrounding suburbs, locals are rightly concerned. They feel it is a ticking time bomb which needs to be addressed. The Orica plant in Newcastle's Ammonium Nitrate stockpile is three to six times larger than the one in Beirut! Such a dangerous, explosive material needs to be housed in a remote area, not 800m from a CBD. For the sake of the Orica brand and chances of future litigation in the case of a disaster, isnt it time to mitigate against this major risk?