Work will start in the next fortnight to seal two of Brooklyn’s dustiest roads under a $2.6million partnership between the state government and Brimbank council.
As reported exclusively by Star Weekly, the government in February announced it would contribute $1.85million towards sealing Bunting and Jones roads – the single greatest source of dust in Brooklyn, Victoria’s most polluted suburb.
Since the end of June last year, Brooklyn residents have suffered 17 days of dust levels as high as those experienced during the Black Saturday bushfires. Last financial year, there were 28 days when PM10 (dust particle) emissions exceeded recommended safety levels.
The World Health Organisation warns people should not be exposed to such high levels of particle pollution for more than five days a year.
Works that were originally expected to start in June will now start within a fortnight after contracts were signed last week between Brimbank council and civil engineers.
The road sealing is expected to be completed by July. Williamstown MP Wade Noonan said a 2011 study by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) found Bunting Road contributed at least 23 per cent of road dust emissions and Jones Road at least eight per cent.
“The sealing of Bunting and Jones roads will help reduce dust levels in Brooklyn, a suburb that has endured dust pollution for far too long,” Mr Noonan said.
“Bunting and Jones roads are the biggest single source of dust in the Brooklyn area. This is set to change by mid-July once the roads are sealed.
“We congratulate Brimbank council for progressing this so quickly after the funding announcement.”
The EPA has issued notices to 13 companies in Brooklyn to reduce dust emissions.
EPA manager Richard Marks said there were 27 pollution abatement notices in place for Brooklyn businesses.
In January, the EPA fined two Brooklyn businesses more than $7000 each for failing to minimise dust coming from their premises. Another four companies were officially warned about mud and dust coming from premises.
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