The last person living in the asbestos-contaminated town of Wittenoom is set to miss a final deadline to vacate today, potentially facing a forceful eviction by Western Australian authorities.
The state government, which officially closed the Pilbara town during March under the Wittenoom Closure Act, has acquired its final properties and planned to demolish and bury them.
But the family of Lorraine Thomas said personal challenges had delayed the elderly woman from leaving their home of 40 years.
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage originally asked the remaining occupants to leave in June but this was extended to August 31.
Documents seen by the ABC reveal the deadline will not be extended again, with police and court officers set to visit the asbestos-riddled town and evict anyone who remains.
Some 3 million tonnes of asbestos tailings left by the disastrous mining industry still litter the landscape around Wittenoom, which is understood to be the largest contaminated site in the southern hemisphere.
Family fears forced eviction
Lorraine's daughter Aileen Thomas said the family had worked hard to remove many of her belongings but personal challenges had delayed completing the job.
Ms Thomas said she was worried for her mother and feared authorities would forcefully remove her from Wittenoom.
"I think this is very unnecessary and I am disgusted that they would even think of doing this with someone her age," she said.
"She is quite willing to go. We just would like a couple more weeks to get the final bits and pieces, and I can't see the problem with that because the house will be abandoned anyway."
Ms Thomas said the process was creating stress for her family and was "desperate" for help.
"I just would like someone to have a bit of compassion, and to treat us with just a bit of decency," she said.
"It's been her home. It's where her husband is buried in the cemetery."
When the Wittenoom Closure Act passed state parliament, WA Lands Minister John Carey said he hoped it would stop "idiotic" people from visiting the area.
But Ms Thomas said this was unlikely and felt the government should give her mother more time to leave.
"I still don't see the point," she said.
"Regardless of anyone living there, there's still going to be people going through the town, or the town site or the area."
Government engaged with residents
A Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage spokesperson said the government had actively engaged with the town's last residents to help them leave.
But Ms Thomas felt the government had not supported her family despite their willingness to cooperate with authorities.
"There's not going to be violence. Nothing like that is going to happen," she said.
"We just want a little bit more time to get the last few things of Mum's and we just want to go and get on with our lives."
Residents forced to move from Wittenoom were compensated with $350,000 from the state government.
