BY NATALIE GALLENTI
BROOKLYN residents welcomed a decision by the Sunshine’s Magistrates’ Court to hit a meat rendering company with a $20,000 fine last week.
Australian Tallow Producers, located on Geelong Rd in Brooklyn, was found guilty on two charges of allowing offensive odours beyond the boundary of its premises.
After receiving calls from concerned businesses and residents, inspections onsite and in the residential area by EPA officers confirmed the odour had moved offsite.
Another fine was handed down to a Sunshine scrap metal company in the same week. Newline Metal International was fined nearly $6000 by the EPA for an incident that involved oil being washed down a stormwater drain.
Brooklyn Residents Action Group member Charlie Volpe said while he welcomed the decision, more action was needed.
Mr Volpe said he understood community and industry had to co-exist, but when companies began to impact on people’s lives there needed to be more severe penalties.
“It’s fair enough they get a decent whack with a fine, but what we need to do is try and prevent it in the first place,” Mr Volpe said.
“We have to get to the core of the issue. The question is: ‘can Brooklyn accommodate industry and residents?’ ”
The community activist admits to enduring many sleepless nights concerned about the air his family was breathing in.
“A decent quality of life is the most important thing.”
Another long-time Brooklyn resident Brian Long said the fine wasn’t enough.
“We don’t want these companies in our area,” Mr Long said.
“A fine is a good start, but not enough. What price do you put on people’s health?”
He called on the Brimbank Council to enforce the conditions of the permits placed on industry in the area.
