A reduction in resources and expertise at the Environment Protection Authority has left the environmental watchdog slow to react to local issues, Brimbank council claims.
In its submission to an inquiry that will guide future practices of the EPA, the council says the authority has often left local government to shoulder some of its responsibilities.
“Limited resources and less staff have significantly affected the scope and timeliness of the EPA’s actions,” the submission found.
“[It] has also led to impacts on local government, to either act on matters that should otherwise be the responsibility of the EPA or seek expert environmental advice externally, which is done at cost.
“There should be greater clarity between the roles and functions of the EPA, other agencies and local government,” the submission says.
“The review [of the Environmental Protection Act 1970] should consider … a clear indication of which agency is responsible for what issue, at what scale.
“Brimbank council would not support changes that burden local government with the responsibility to perform environmental protection responsibilities in the absence of ongoing financial capacity to do so.”
The council has also called on the EPA to remove barriers to the proper disposal of asbestos.
Star Weekly revealed in July the council spends about $1million a year cleaning up illegally dumped rubbish, including asbestos.
Its submission to the EPA inquiry also asks for additional resources in Melbourne’s west to tackle “[areas] which are dealing with legacy issues, such as closed landfills and land and groundwater contamination from former industrial uses, where the polluters have vacated sites. Residents, workers and visitors in the municipality should be entitled to enjoy a high quality and safe living environment.”
The council highlighted residents’ frustrations that issues were not investigated when “too few people have complained”.
A spokeswoman said the EPA was working with council, industry and community to address environmental concerns in Brimbank including the environmental impacts at the Brooklyn industrial precinct, possible asbestos exposure in Sunshine North, contaminated groundwater at Sunshine and odour surveillance of the Ravenhall landfill.
