Brooklyn Industrial Estate

Reporting pollution To make a pollution or incident report phone: Melbourne metropolitan area – 9695 2777   (24 hours) Check current wind speed and direction at the Footscray air monitoring station  or  Altona North air monitoring station

About the Brooklyn Industrial Estate Project

Since the establishment of Melbourne, the western suburbs have housed industry alongside residents. While industry practice may have improved since the 1870’s, the environmental health and livability for people surrounding the Brooklyn Industrial Estate still remains a concern for residents.

EPA, local government and the industries and residents of the Brooklyn area are working together to:

• Identify opportunities for improving the environmental performance of industries;
• Provide better information and education to industry and residents; and
• Actively address issues of non compliance practice.

Recent News

Site improvements

• Australian Tallow Producers have recently completed the second biofilter with a third biofilter due for completion by the end of 2009, 10 months ahead of schedule.   The building ventilation stack will then be decommissioned so that all air from the buildings will be treated in the biofilters. 

A fire at Australian Tallow Producers in late July caused significant odour concerns for the local community.  Australian Tallow Producers circulated a formal apology, attended the recent Brooklyn Community Reference Group meeting to explain the event and have developed new incident management protocols to mitigate impacts of plant malfunction.

• SITA environmental Solutions continues to be on target for full enclosure of composting facilities by September 2010 as part of a licence amendment by EPA.  SITA held a special meeting with local residents in June 2009 to discuss its improved facility.
• Swift meatworks have commenced installation of upgraded biofilter system which will be completed by the end of 2009.

August Odour reports by the community
During August, 62 reports of odour were made by community members. (July 194, June 86, May 75, April 71).  EPA received a high number of community reports in July related to the Australian Tallow plant malfunction.

Dust Monitoring Program
EPA is commencing a 10 month dust monitoring program in September to obtain data on Brooklyn and surrounds air quality. The program will measure compliance with health standards, and measure total dust load in the air.

Brooklyn Community Reference Group

EPA helped establish the Brooklyn Community Reference Group (BCRG) in November 2007, with the aim to foster collaboration between community, industry and government to ensure ongoing clean air and reduced noise in the Brooklyn area.  The meetings are run every 6 months and are open to the community to attend. 

Next BCRG meeting - 18 November 2009

• Draft meeting notes Dust subgroup meeting 16 September 2009
• Meeting notes Odour subgroup meeting 15 July 2009
• Meeting notes BCRG meeting 20 May 2009

Community Interest Groups

Yarraville On The Nose - based in the Yarraville and Kingsville area west of Williamstown Road.
Email:  coord.onthenose@gmail.com

Brooklyn Residents Action Group (BRAG) - based in the Brooklyn area bounded by Geelong Rd and the West Gate Freeway. Contact EPA for details

Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association (SunRRA) -  based in the Sunshine area.
Email: secretary@sunshine.asn.au

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