Keeping dust down … Tom Buxton from the Sunshine Groupe in front of one of his Brooklyn
By Alesha Capone
BROOKLYN industrial estate businessman Tom Buxton has said the area’s companies need to work together to solve the suburb’s dust problems, which have been recorded at levels which could cause serious health issues.
Last month, an Environment Protection Authority monitoring program revealed dust from the area’s industrial estates was recorded at levels which could cause serious heart and respiratory problems.
The EPA has sent notices to the 15 most-likely Brooklyn dust offenders to “put them on notice” they need to take action to stop high dust readings.
At a Brooklyn Community Reference Group (BCRG) meeting last month, an EPA representive said the Brooklyn industrial estate seemed to be causing some of the suburb’s dust problem. However, one Brooklyn recycling and waste management business, the Sunshine Groupe, has been praised by some BCRG members for being “pro-active” when it comes to managing dust levels.
Last week, managing director Tom Buxton took Star on a tour of his property and pointed out the dust-minimising measures he has put in place in the past and has planned for the future, at a cost of more than $180,000 so far.
“We and associated industries in the Brooklyn area can assist … by having formal plans that are implemented on a regular and strict basis. This has to be a commitment by each individual operation in good faith,” Mr Buxton said.
Mr Buxton’s son and company general manager Christian Buxton said he organised a meeting with 10 other Brooklyn industry representatives last week so they could collaborate on ways to minimise dust.
The Sunshine Groupe has three trucks which spray water on dusty roads and areas to keep particles compacted, so they will not get caught in wind, and fences over 7m high to stop dust escaping from the property. Mr Buxton said the fences were only required to be 1.8m, but he was keen to exceed standards.
Hobsons Bay City Council said they were working with the EPA on dust enforcement options.
