FED-UP residents are demanding the urgent implementation of Brimbank Council’s ‘Brooklyn Evolution’ project.
A new petition follows an urgent Senate submission from the council earlier this month, calling for immediate action on the main source of pollution — the Brooklyn triangle, an area bounded by Kororoit Creek and Somerville and Geelong roads.
The petition, launched by Williamstown Labor MP Wade Noonan, asserts that pollution in “Victoria’s worst pollution black spot” is putting residents at risk of respiratory infection, allergic reactions, asthma attacks, chronic respiratory diseases and heart conditions.
Recommendations of the evolution strategy include identifying priority areas for development and addressing issues relating to storm water quality, drainage and environmental degradation.
The strategy is also aimed at enhancing the area’s image with high-quality development and urban design treatments, particularly along main roads.
More than 2000 copies of the petition have been sent out to households.
“We want to draw attention to fact there have been 90 days when air quality in Brooklyn is below the accepted national standard,” Mr Noonan said.
“The fact is that the Environment Protection Authority is actively pursuing offending business and where possible issuing penalty notices.
“But if the community is going to see some real changes it requires the implementation of the Brimbank Council’s evolution strategy immediately.”
Mr Noonan said many of the recommendations of the strategy were the state government’s responsibility. “There needs to be some heavy lifting undertaken by the state government.”
Brooklyn’s Carmen Largaiollo said residents had put up for years with their cars and houses being covered in dust. She said a fine, black soot continually built up on window sills.
“We’ve got a Third World zone nine kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD,” she said.
EPA chief executive John Merritt said dry, windy conditions had exacerbated the problem.
“That’s why we’ve had to look at the actions we imposed early on and said they are not enough, unfortunately. We’ve had to escalate those up and bring more pressure to bear.”
Brooklyn Residents Action Group spokesman Bert Boere welcomed the petition. He said while the EPA had tried hard, the problems were too large for a single agency.
The council plans to hold further public consultation in June, including a formal exhibition of the strategy.
Environment Minister Ryan Smith said the government shared the community’s views that there needed to be “a strong and integrated focus” on dust and air quality issues.
