Great news!!

1) Jane's Rd or Wade's Way?? The sealing of Jones Rd and Bunting Rd
On 6 November Brimbank City Council hosted a celebration of collaboration, marking the sealing of Jones and Bunting Roads. The roads were dubbed by Brimbank CC Administrator John Watson as the ‘dirtiest in Melbourne’; Wade Noonan MP quoted figures that the roads contributed to up to 30% of Brooklyn’s dust. Wade went on to say that the project was ‘a great example of what can be achieved through collective effort’. He said that while the road sealing will not solve all of Brooklyn’s dust problems, the project will make a significant difference and will assist enforcement efforts.

John acknowledged government’s financial contribution to the project and thanked the efforts of Brooklyn Residents Action Group, Yarraville On The Nose and Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek for their advocacy and tenacity. On their groups’ behalf, Bert, Bruce and Geoff accepted certificates of acknowledgement. John encouraged local industries to continue to find ways to reduce the impacts of dust on the surrounding community.

Bert Boere (BRAG) commented that it will be interesting to see how the impact of the roads’ sealing will compare with dust modelling. He agreed with comments about the power of collaboration, saying that ‘none of us can do this on our own’.

Bruce Light (YOTN) acknowledged the efforts of BCRG in keeping everyone together over a sustained period to effect change.

Wade Noonan (Local MP and Minister for Police and Corrections), Jane Nathan (Administrator, Brimbank CC) and Cr Sandra Wilson (Hobsons Bay CC) were also thanked by several of the speakers for their long-term advocacy and for acting as champions for change.

Jen Lilburn, Convenor BCRG.


 

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2) Environment Protection Regulations Review
Update and consultation
Victoria’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) are reviewing the Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises and Exemptions) Regulations 2007 before they expire in mid-2017.
The Regulations cover a range of industrial and commercial activities with the potential for significant environmental impacts, and prescribe which premises are required to:

•      obtain an EPA works approval
•      obtain an EPA licence    
•      provide a financial assurance  

Further information about the Regulations and the review is available on DELWP and EPA websites, including a discussion paper published by DELWP and EPA which outlines the scope of the Regulations and issues for consideration.
Submit feedback
The Discussion Paper is open for comment until 14 December 2015, and submissions can be made via our online questionnaire or as a written submission — access more information, view a submission template, and submit feedback here.
Next steps
Comments received on the questions in the Discussion Paper will help to inform the development of a regulatory impact statement and a draft of the proposed new Regulations, which are expected to be published in late 2016.

Contact: www.epa.vic.gov.au | contact@epa.vic.gov.au | 1300 372 842

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Environmental Justice Australia is hosting the 2015 National Air Pollution Summit on 14 November in Melbourne. 

The purpose of the Summit is to share knowledge, experience and to collaborate on strategies to respond to the crisis in air pollution regulation in this country.  We are really excited to also be launching a new national Clean Air Action Network at the Summit, to help build and maintain collaborative links and combine our effort towards establishing an Air Pollution Prevention Act at the Commonwealth level. Here is a link to the Summit webpage, which includes links to the detailed program, readings and registration pages. 

EJA has strong links with an number of community groups based in the west of Melbourne, and is delighted to invite the Brooklyn Community Reference Group to participate in their growing national network. Further, on 13 November (ie the day before the Summit), EJA is hosting a Strategy Workshop, with community representatives.   
 
Contact: Phil Hill, Clean  Air Lawyer, Environmental Justice Australia.
Tel: (03) 8341 3100 | Email: phil.hill@envirojustice.org.au

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

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