Odours from Brooklyn

Information about the current wind speed and direction.

• Check current wind speed and direction at the Footscray air monitoring station
• Check current wind speed and direction at the Altona North air monitoring station
  

June 2008 Update

On 6 June, this website was updated with information about:

• May odour reports and analysis

  A sharp rise in odour reports in recent months shows there is further work to be done by industry in the Brooklyn area. Some of the rise may also be seasonal as the weather moves into a very stable autumnal phase. Companies also recognise the need for further improvement works and will further update on improvements at the next community reference meeting in June.
  
  While the rise in unknown odour sources could also be seasonal, EPA continues to investigate other potential odour sources in the Brooklyn area.
  
  

The detailed monthly statistics are provided below:

• May 2008 statistics (Adobe PDF file, 23KB)
• April 2008 statistics (Adobe PDF file, 28KB)
• March 2008 statistics (Adobe PDF file, 28KB)
• February 2008 statistics (Adobe PDF file, 15KB)
• January 2008 statistics (Adobe PDF file, 13.7KB)
• December 2007 statistics (Adobe PDF file, 15KB)
• November 2007 statistics (Adobe PDF file, 14KB)
• October 2007 statistics (Adobe PDF file, 30KB)
• September 2007 statistics (Adobe PDF file, 15KB)
• August 2007 statistics (Adobe PDF file, 14KB).

Notes about odour reporting

EPA has committed to detailing the outcome of odour reports made by the community in the Brooklyn and Yarraville area on a monthly basis.

A “likely” source is determined by an EPA Officer through an assessment of wind direction, odour description and knowledge of recent activities, while a “confirmed” source has been identified by an EPA Officer in the field and traced to a source, with all other potential surrounding sources eliminated. “Unknown” is recorded where wind direction, odour description, knowledge of recent activities and field investigations have not identified a source.

EPA continues to work with industry and the community in the Brooklyn area to improve industry environmental performance and remove offensive odours. We welcome the community contacting us with pollution issues as part of this program for ongoing improvement. This is best achieved by phoning EPA’s Pollution Watch Line service on 9695 2777.

Outcomes from the Brooklyn Community Reference Group Meeting 19 March 2008


The aim of the Brooklyn Community Reference Group (BCRG) is to foster collaboration between community, industry and government to ensure ongoing clean air in the Brooklyn area. The BCRG Working Model incorporating the terms of reference was finalised in December 2007.

Download the Terms of Reference (Adobe PDF file, 54KB)

It was generally agreed that the group would operate for approximately 12 months recognising that this would be reviewed as issues progressed throughout 2008.

Next meeting:


6:00 – 8:00pm Wednesday 11 June 2008 at the Committee Room, Brimbank Council’s Sunshine Offices, 6 Alexandra Street, Sunshine. Entrance is through the front foyer.

Download the draft meeting agenda

The 19 March meeting was attended by residents from;

• Tottenham, Brooklyn and Yarraville (note: that the small number of dedicated BCRG meeting attendees from the Brooklyn and Yarraville residents groups represent well over 100 individual residents from the respective suburbs. Affected residents may choose to attend meetings personally or be represented by members of the Brooklyn and Yarraville residents groups);
  
• Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong and Brimbank City Councils;
• Cargill, SITA, Tasman, Veolia Environmental Services, Sims Metal; and
• EPA Victoria.

Cr Michael Clarke from Maribyrnong City Council chaired the meeting and on behalf of the three local councils, stated how pleased he is with the significant improvement to local amenity and the progress individual companies have made to improve their environmental performance.

Tasman Group Services, Sims Metal and Veolia made presentations. Both Sims Metal and Veolia invited the BCRG to visit their premises for a site tour.

It was agreed that the next BCRG meeting would be hosted by Brimbank City Council. At this meeting it was agreed that EPA will present on decision-making processes and strategic direction while Brimbank City Council will present on Brooklyn industrial zone planning and future direction.

For more information click here

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