Change size

Print

March 2011 Open House Event Reports

EPA held 13 Open House events during March 2011 the purpose being to:

  • Report back on EPA’s 2010 Compliance and Enforcement Review
  • Seek input on developing EPA’s 5-year corporate plan
  • Gain an understanding of your aspirations for Victoria’s environment

Click on the flags on the interactive map below to view the report for that event.

Click on the flags on the interactive map below to view the report for that event. Sale - Sale participants wanted to see EPA working more closely with its partners in local government and water authorities to promote better services to the community and management of resources. Particular focus points were creek water quality and the impact of flooding in the Latrobe River. Traralgon - Coal dust and air emissions from Hazelwood remain a priority for Traralgon participants, along with impacts from the Loy Yang open cut pit. Concerns were also expressed that the liner of the Loy Yang Tip was poorly designed, and that leachate could be leaking from the site. Participants also want to see better planning around Traralgon’s light industrial area, which could include enhanced buffers to better protect neighbouring communities. They also treasure the Alpine and Tarra-Bulga National Parks, the Gippsland Lakes and the Walhalla historic region. Wonthaggi - The desalination plant has Wonthaggi participants concerned for the aesthetic and ecological impact at the mouth of the Powlett River, the river estuary and swamp at Dalyston. Participants also want seagrass, mangroves and other marine life to be protected from the impact of dredging from the Port of Hastings development. Land degradation from waste and tyre dumping, and chemical runoff from agricultural spraying were priorities for the Horsham community. Residents at the Horsham Open House also raised concerns about landfill management and a lack of transfer stations available to recover resources from waste. Bendigo - The Bendigo community wants to see EPA playing a greater role in educating the community about protecting the environment, partnering more closely with local government on planning and development decisions, and taking enforcement action against polluters of creeks and waterway pollution from sewers and dumped waste. Warrnambool - The Merri River is a focus of community concerns in the Warrnambool region. The river’s proximity to a marine national park, and discharges of nutrients in rendering waste from Midfield Meats, and outflows of geothermal water from the Hotel Sebel Blue’s hot springs has the community calling for greater protection of the waterway. Odours from Midfield Meats’ Swinton Street premises also produced a number of comments from the community. Ballarat - Noise disturbance from IBM’s commercial premises near Ballarat University and concerns over noise and aesthetics from wind turbines topped the list of priorities for residents in the Central Highlands. The community around Creswick wanted to see more support from EPA to local government on issues like waste management and landfill zoning. Geelong - Gas flaring, smoke, health concerns from air emissions, and warm water discharges continue to concern residents from the North Geelong precinct at Corio Bay near Shell and Terminals. Drought and a dropping water table which exposed acid sulphate soils in the catchment led to a spate of fish deaths in the Anglesea River in September last year. The fish deaths have left the community worried that similar events could occur again after heavy rains. Sunshine - Industry noise from Sunshine West, dust and odour from the Brooklyn Quarry, trucks and dust from Barnes Road and Cemetery Road, Altona, and odour from a broiler farm at Rockbank are ongoing challenges for residents in and around the western suburbs. Residents at the Sunshine Open House told EPA about their concerns from tanker cleaning, animal waste being disposed to stormwater drains, and the ongoing operation at the Market Road landfill at Brooklyn. But they are also interested in the area’s protection, and would like to see support to beautify the parks and waterways, particularly around the lower Kororoit Creek. Springvale - Odour tops the list of concerns for Springvale participants, where impacts are felt from landfills at Heatherton, Clarinda, Clayton South, Dingley Village and Cranbourne. There are particular concerns about the Selwyn Fault and where it lies in the Lyndhurst area. People reported being unable to sleep, spend time outdoors, hang washing out or leave doors and windows open. Portland - Key concerns for Portland attendees centre around the impact of the Incitec Pivot fertiliser manufacturer on human health, homes and gardens. Residents have reported their windows become coated in a white fluoride film which also has impacts on the health of vegetation and local fauna. The community is also concerned that wind turbines proposed for Cape Bridgewater are poorly sited, and will impact heavily on tourism and wildlife. Ringwood - The quality of local creeks and waterways is an ongoing concern for Ringwood participants, particularly the impact of the Boral quarry on the Bungalook Creek. Oils and detergents have also been seen on the surface of creeks in the Forest Hill Reserve and Felicia Dale Reserve, and litter in the Dandenong Creek and Mullum Mullum Creek near Eastlink after heavy rains. Wangaratta - The community highlighted concerns around waste dumping across the region, including at One Mile Creek, Wangaratta and in State Parks. Participants also shared concerns about the transportation of hazardous chemicals through Benalla, night time noise pollution from the Wahgunyah Speedway, and air emissions from manufacturing industry in Wangaratta South.

Online forum

You can also view comments made at our online forum at www.epayoursay.com.au/oh2011

Top