Works are due to start this week 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 that 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 after contracts were recently signed 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 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.
(EPA)
Goya Dmytryshchak
