A PETITION signed by a third of Brooklyn residents has been presented to State Parliament as calls to slash dust pollution levels in the industrial area intensify.
Williamstown Labor MP Wade Noonan tabled the 300-signature petition yesterday, demanding the urgent implementation of Brimbank Council’s “Brooklyn Evolution” project.
The petition follows a submission to the Senate from the council earlier this year calling for immediate action on the main source of pollution — the Brooklyn triangle, an area bounded by Kororoit Creek and Somerville and Geelong roads.
The petition asserts that pollution in “Victoria’s worst pollution black spot” puts residents at risk of respiratory infection, allergic reactions, asthma, chronic respiratory diseases and heart conditions.
Recommendations of the strategy include identifying priority areas for development and addressing issues relating to stormwater quality, drainage and environmental degradation. The strategy is also aimed at enhancing the area’s image with high-quality development and urban design treatments, particularly along main roads.
Mr Noonan said more than a third of Brooklyn’s population had signed the document “because they want and expect change”.
“It’s now time for the state government to step up and devote significant resources to reverse environmental pollution in Brooklyn”.
Mr Noonan said residents had been subjected to dust, odour and noise pollution from the industrial estate for too long.
Brooklyn Residents Action Group spokesman Bert Boere said state Environment Minister Ryan Smith had agreed to meet with community leaders in the coming weeks. “Through the Environment Protection Authority we have been told the minister plans to meet with us, to discuss ways we can begin to implement the plans of the Brooklyn Evolution project,” he said. “But it needs to be a collaborative approach between the council, state government, EPA and VicRoads.”
Brooklyn’s community reference group will meet to discuss the project at Brooklyn Community Hall from 6pm on May 15.
