1) EPA fines Brooklyn Company 22 July 2016

Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined a Brooklyn company more than $7,500 for allowing offensive odours, described as smelling like manure, to leave its site and impact on the local community. 

EPA Metropolitan Manager Daniel Hunt said EPA had received multiple reports from the community and an investigation had traced the smell to JBS Australia, a meat processer on Industry Park Drive, Brooklyn. 

“An EPA officer responded to the public reports and conducted an odour survey that included an upwind investigation along Somerville Road and a downwind investigation along Geelong Road to confirm the source,” Mr Hunt said. 

“The EPA officer in the field said the odour had pig or cow manure characteristics and confirmed the odour with a local resident who reported it to EPA.” 

Mr Hunt said that the EPA had returned to the site the following day in response to another community report of an odour said to smell like a rendering process. 

“Given the smell was different from the previous day, and likely from a different source at the premises, EPA issued the company with two remedial notices, on top of the fine of $7,500, to ensure processes are improved at the site and no further odours leave its boundary,” Mr Hunt said. 

Mr Hunt said EPA expected all licence holders to comply with their strict EPA licence conditions to ensure that no environmental impacts occurred as a result of operations; otherwise they could face sanctions under the Environment Protection Act 1970.  

“Licence holders need to have programs to prevent environmental impacts and be able to demonstrate they are complying with their licence. The company in this instance has allowed odours to leave its site and impact on local communities, a clear breach of its EPA licence, which is why these sanctions have been handed down,” Mr Hunt said.  

EPA urges members of the public to report suspected pollution to EPA on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC) or at www.epa.vic.gov.au

2) BCRG Community Forum Agenda July 27, 2016

The agenda is now available for the BCRG community Forum, July 27. click here

Guest speakers include Tim Watts, Federal Member for Gellibrand plus updates on the Brooklyn Reserve, Brimbank CC works, Susnhine Groupe and  EPA Victoria.

6.00 for 6:30 – 8:30pm
Brooklyn Community Hall, Cypress Avenue Brooklyn.

All welcome
Your RSVP to Andrea at eo.bcrg@gmail.com or 0427 338 482 would be appreciated.
 

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The  2016 Brooklyn Community Representative Group Community Forums: 

Wednesday 27th July and 16 November 2016,

6.00 for 6:30 – 8:30pm
Brooklyn Community Hall, Cypress Avenue Brooklyn.
All welcome