THE government must make urgent efforts to end residents’ suffering from dust pollution in Brooklyn, a state MP insists.
In State Parliament last week, Williamstown MP Wade Noonan called on the government to help clean up the Brooklyn industrial precinct.
The Weekly last week reported the suburb suffers from air pollution caused by a nearby industrial estate that soars well above national health standards and levels elsewhere in the city.
Mr Noonan said Brooklyn residents had every right to expect change in an area the Environment Protection Authority confirms has the worst air pollution in Melbourne.
“Since 2009, there have been more than 90 days where air pollution in Brooklyn has exceeded the acceptable standards,” he said.
“Our environmental watchdog, the EPA, has thrown the kitchen sink at this problem, but sadly I think they’re losing the battle – and the community knows it.”
He said the precinct was home to more than 60 industries, including quarrying, former landfill, abattoirs, material recycling, tallow producers and container storage, many of which were playing catch-up on environmental standards.
“It is clear that the current approach of enforcement by the EPA has become a Band-aid solution.”
Environment Minister Ryan Smith said he accepted that the issue was important and that communities should expect a healthy environment. “Over the past few years we have certainly made some progress and in recent times, in particular, in relation to odour issues.”
The EPA had been diligent in issuing pollution abatement notices. “I certainly agree that we do need to have that multi-agency approach,” said Mr Smith.
Mr Noonan is circulating a petition calling for greater government action.
