SUBURBS surrounding the Brooklyn industrial precinct remain beset by dust and odour issues despite an Environment Protection Authority (EPA) crackdown.
The EPA ‘pollution hotline’ received nine complaints regarding Brooklyn in the past week, with residents singling out Australian Tallow and Western Land Reclamation as the source of an odour described by one as a “foul, vomit-inducing reek”. EPA spokeswoman Robyn Box said strong, persistent winds had been behind the area recording its worst air quality levels in three years.
“This [financial] year we’ve had 19 days that have exceeded the standard air quality levels, which is higher than the past two years,” she said.
The levels are by far the worst in Melbourne and almost four times the national target of fewer than five annual excesses.
The Weekly reported in November that metro manager Richard Marks had announced EPA Victoria was slapping a dozen repeat offenders with notices demanding immediate action.
“A compliance check is running in the Brooklyn industrial precinct, mainly targeting high-risk sites,” Ms Box said.
EPA will carry out ongoing surveillance activities on days that are high risk for poor air quality.
Australian Tallow has been forced to make several changes to continue holding its licence.
EPA has required it to cut production by 30 per cent, drop its evening shift, install a bio-filter and change the building to ensure odour is captured. And the most offensive materials are banned.
