A Northern Territory cattle station and tourist park evacuated by the NT Police over arsenic contamination fears last Saturday has been cleared of any risk and re-opened.

The Northern Territory (NT) Coroner yesterday lifted its declaration of a restricted area at Mount Bundy Station near Adelaide River. 

An NT Police media statement said the decision to lift the restriction was made after test results showed that arsenic levels in water and soil were within normal community standards.

Further, expert medical advice determined that the elevated levels of arsenic found in long term residents at that location were within acceptable levels and do not pose a health risk. 

“This advice also indicates that arsenic is present generally in the environment and elevated levels within humans can be attributed to various factors for example the consumption of some seafood.

“Further tests are being conducted by a number of authorities to continue to determine possible causes of the elevated levels of arsenic however the results before the Coroner indicate that the Mount Bundy Station environment is within normal community levels and can be reopened. 

“The declaration of the restricted area was a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and to enable possible environmental sources to be identified and tested as a priority. The outcome of those results has enabled the restriction to now be lifted.” 

The statement said the coronial investigation was ongoing by NT Police and South Australian (SA) Police on behalf of the NT and SA Coroners into the death of 17-year-old, Ben Witham.

The cause of death is yet to be determined.