Residents of Victoria’s most polluted suburb are breathing a sigh of relief after the state government announced further funding for sealing two of Brooklyn’s dustiest roads.
Under the $2.6 million deal, the government will contribute $1.85 million – up from the original $900,000 commitment – and Brimbank council $750,000 to seal Jones and Bunting roads.
RELATED: Dusty Brooklynites call for closure of road
Brooklyn: Council scraps dust charge for landowners
At the February 24 council meeting, administrator chairman John Watson welcomed the long-awaited move, saying the “pieces of the jigsaw are finally coming together”.
“The Brooklyn Industrial Precinct is a significant industrial hub,” he said.
“It’s hoped improving access to the area will help build business in the area, leading to an increase in local job opportunities.
“Improving roads and sealing these busy traffic-ways will also help address the dust and air quality concerns residents have, which stem from the constant flow of heavy traffic in and out of the precinct.”
Last financial year, Brooklyn residents suffered 28 days of dust levels as high as those experienced during the Black Saturday bushfires.
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.
On hot, windy days, Victoria’s Health Department advises Brooklyn residents to stay inside, keep their doors and windows shut, and avoid exercise.
A 2011 Environment Protection Authority study found that Bunting Road contributed at least 23 per cent of precinct dust emissions and Jones Road at least eight per cent.
Williamstown MP Wade Noonan said residents had been waiting a “very long time” for this moment to come.
“It won’t fix all the dust problems in Brooklyn, but it’s a mighty step forward.”
Brooklyn Residents Action Group secretary Bert Boere said sealing the roads was the biggest single change needed to reduce dust levels.
“It’ll drop the dust levels by somewhere between 40 and 50 per cent,” he said, “but that said, it will still be over the limits.
“We’re six to eight times over the number of dust exceedences we’re allowed to have per year, and if you drop that by half you’re still sitting on three or four … it’s not an entire solution.
‘’You’ve still got to tackle the sites plus the transfer [of dust] off the properties.”
Mr Boere said sealing the roads would make it clear from which properties “dirty” trucks were coming.
Last month, the EPA fined two Brooklyn businesses more than $7000 each for failing to minimise dust coming from their premises.
Another four companies were given official warnings about mud and dust leaving their premises.
Brimbank council is expected to start work to seal the roads by June.
