1)  Sims Metal Fire Update - Chris Bydder, EPA Victoria

Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) was notified on Monday night (19 October) of a fire at Sims Metal, a scrap metal recycling plant on McDonald Road in Brooklyn.
 
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB), as the control agency and in line with agreed and established emergency management procedures, notified EPA of the event, discussed environmental issues, but EPA attendance at the site was not required.
 
On Monday evening, MFB advised residents within a one kilometre radius to stay inside to minimise exposure to smoke from the fire.
 
EPA attended the site on Tuesday, 20 October to assess whether there was any subsequent and/or ongoing environmental impact from the event and to investigate if any clean up advice was required.
 
EPA officers found no further offsite contamination of the environment had occurred due to the fire.
 
EPA officers found all water used to extinguish the fire had been contained in a retention pond usually reserved for storm water. The company has since informed EPA that the water in the retention pond would be re-used onsite to cool machinery and would not leave the site.
 
EPA provided advice to the company that the pond must be tested for contamination before any discharge from the site occurs.
 
The fire occurred in steel stockpiles, containing mainly wrecked vehicles. These vehicles go through a shredder as part of the recycling process and metal and fibres are separated.
 
All vehicles burnt in the fire can still be recycled.      

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2)  Next BCRG Community Forum

The next BCRG Community Forum will be held Wednesday, November 11th, 2015 at the Brooklyn Community Hall, Cypress Ave, Brooklyn, 6 - 6.30pm.

RSVP Please to: Email: eo.bcrg@gmail.com or phone: 0427 338 482

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3) Invitation to Containerspace Site Visit.  

Following my presentation at the last BCRG meeting, I would like to extend an open invitation to come and visit our site prior to the BCRG forum in the evening.

DATE:       Wednesday 11 November, 2015
TIME:        Arrive any time after 5.15pm (Please park in the car park at front of office)
PLACE:     Containerspace Office, 465-467 Somerville Rd, Brooklyn, 3012
PHONE:    9314 5589
EMAIL:     helen@containerspace.com.au
 
This is a great opportunity for us to show you some of the improvements we’ve made to our business and give you an opportunity to ask any questions.   

I look forward to seeing you on the day.
Best Regards,

Helen Paterson, ADMINISTRATION MANAGER