Tuesday, 6 February 2024

Western suburbs air quality

Melissa HORNE (Williamstown) presented a petition bearing 206 signatures:

Issue:

This petition of residents of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Assembly: Brooklyn residents have been advised that a contaminated soil washing facility is proposed at ResourceCo Material Solutions, 125 Bunting Road, Brooklyn, with the expectation the facility will receive 200 tonnes per operational hour 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday. The Brooklyn and Sunshine West communities vigorously oppose this proposal in the interests of health, safety, and liveability of its residents. A facility of this nature is unsuitable for a site only 9 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD and 400 metres from Brooklyn residential. The proposal directly goes against the findings and recommendations of the Inner West Air Quality Community Reference Group report presented to the State Government. We believe this facility will add to the already high burden of: Dust pollution – The Brooklyn Industrial Precinct is recognised as one of the most dust polluted areas in Australia, with stockpiles of material of unknown contamination stored within the Bunting Road area, and many unsealed roads. Transport pollution – the area is already heavily congested with traffic, particularly heavy vehicles on Geelong Road, McDonald Road, and Millers Road.

Action:

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly call on the Government to ensure the EPA take immediate action to prevent this new activity being established and move any other dust producing activity to areas where air pollution impacts will be minimised.