By ALESHA CAPONE
MORE than 300 residents have signed a petition calling on the State Government to take action and fix the dust pollution in Brooklyn’s industrial estate.
Williamstown MP Wade Noonan is set to table the document in State Parliament this week.
Mr Noonan said about one third of Brooklyn’s residents had signed the petition “because they wanted to send a message to the Napthine Government that they are sick of having the worst air pollution in Melbourne”.
In April this year, Star reported Brooklyn’s air contained high rates of toxic dust, according to the state Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
The EPA released data showing Brooklyn experienced 21 days when PM10 dust levels were higher than the recommended safety amount, from July 2012 to January this year.
The EPA recommends people should only be exposed to five days per year when PM10 levels are high.
‘PM10’ can cause medical problems if people are consistently exposed to them, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The EPA advises people to stay indoors, avoid using air-conditioning and not open windows on high PM10 days.
Mr Noonan said Brooklyn residents “have put up with dust, odour and noise from the adjoining industrial estate in Brooklyn for far too long”.
“Locals have signed this petition because they want and expect change,” he said.
“It’s now time for the Napthine Government to step up and devote significant resources to reverse environmental pollution in Brooklyn.”
Mr Noonan said the recently-released Brooklyn Evolution Strategy from Brimbank City Council – a plan to improve Brooklyn’s environment, businesses and employment rates – offered a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to clean up the pollution crisis in Brooklyn”, but required State Government support to go ahead.
“The Brooklyn Evolution Strategy provides a clear road map towards a cleaner environment – but its recommendations must be actioned for change to occur,” Mr Noonan said.
