DUST levels in Brooklyn’s infamous industrial precinct are forecast to peak again this summer, blowing up to eight times the World Health Organisation’s safe maximums.
But even plans to seal two roads that are primary contributors to the dust problems — Bunting and Jones roads — have failed to appease On the Nose president Bruce Light.
“It’s a huge task to fix the dust problem. There are still unsealed sites throughout the precinct,” he said.
“And, anyway, the east-west link takes out Bunting Road and parts of Jones Road.”
Mr Light is concerned that Brimbank Council’s proposal to charge landowners to seal the two heavily used roads will simply stall the inevitable.
He said health data already showed Brooklyn had the highest rate of respiratory problems among residents younger than five and older than 75, with residential areas only 500 metres from the industrial zone.
“We should require industries to seal their yards . . . the Band-Aid approach is just buying industry time.”
Twenty-two landowners along Bunting and Jones roads have been notified of the council’s plan to introduce a special charge to finance road sealing and drainage.
The council is proposing to secure a bank loan for almost $6 million to undertake the works, requiring quarterly repayments from landowners over the next 10 years.
Landowners have until February 13 to file objections to the council’s road-sealing scheme.
A website, brooklynip.com.au has been set up to provide information from all agencies on improvements to the Brooklyn industrial precinct.
