WA government bill to close asbestos-riddled town Wittenoom ends 'dark chapter' of state's history

The West Australian government says closing the last remnants of an asbestos-riddled town will bring a "dark chapter" of the state's history to an end.

The long-awaited Wittenoom Closure Bill has passed WA Parliament and will allow the state government to acquire and demolish the final 14 properties in the town.

Wittenoom, in remote northern WA, was taken off the map in 2007 but visitors have continued to ignore warnings about the serious risk posed by its blue asbestos tailings, the products of mining in the town until 1966.

Lands Minister John Carey said he hopes the final closure will put a stop to what he has described as "idiotic" behaviour.

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