Gerald Lynch
Brimbank council will call on the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) and WorkSafe to give residents a chance to ask questions about the Derrimut fire that occurred on July 10.
EPA held a community question and answer session on Friday, July 19, from 3pm to 5pm, at Apex Park in Altona, which falls under the Hobsons Bay municipality.
There they discussed the impact the fire had on local waterways.
However, councillor Virginia Tachos said Brimbank residents deserved a chance to ask their own questions at a time and location that is suitable for them.
“Residents would like a meeting to be held in Derrimut … residents have called the EPA requesting this, yet to date have not had a response,” she said.
“This is an opportunity for our residents after this second explosion in this Derrimut facility, to see some transparency and accountability around what happened, and also what’s in place to prevent things from happening in the future.
“Residents have a right to live within safety of an industrial precinct, and to direct questions about what was stored in the factory and whether it was being monitored and regulated … and how in the vicinity of 12 months there has been two explosions in the same factory.”
An EPA spokesperson said the authority are waiting to hear from the council before making its next move.
“EPA continues to work with all agencies in the ongoing response and recovery from this incident, including Fire Rescue Victoria as they are still in control of the site, and Brimbank council as the lead recovery agency,” the spokesperson said.
“We have highlighted the importance of all agencies continuing to engage with communities throughout this process.
“EPA has been highly proactive in its efforts to keep the community informed about the Derrimut fire and subsequent environmental impacts particularly to local waterways. We have published several updates, used social media, have conducted multiple media interviews, been in contact with stakeholder groups in the area including council and community environmental leaders, and held a community question and answer pop up.”
A WorkSafe spokesperson said they’re working with all other agencies too, and still providing technical sport.
“As Victoria’s regulator for health and safety and dangerous goods, WorkSafe’s priority is ensuring that all work on the site is carried out safely and without risk to workers or the public,” the spokesperson said.
“We understand the community concern over this incident and will continue to engage with our stakeholders during the ongoing response and recovery.”
