Risky chemicals and tough choices  February 25, 2005  Decisions
over the storage of dangerous chemicals are a test of political
leadership.  In 2002, Colleen Hartland, spokeswoman for the
Hazardous Chemicals Action Group, said the State Government's
handling of the chemical storage facility at Coode Island had
"never been about environmental standards or about residents'
concern" but had been "a political process". Ms Hartland had
been disappointed when the Bracks Government decided not to
relocate the facility despite a pre-election promise that it
would do so. Instead it chose to abide by the Kennett
Government's decision to keep hazardous chemicals stored on the
island with upgraded safety measures, a pragmatic course of
action that has only served to delay the dilemma posed by Coode
Island.  In the 14 years since Coode Island exploded into
flames, casting a toxic smoke cloud over the city, residents and
businesses have been moving into high-rise towers on Docklands,
two-and-a-half kilometres away. Last No